Red-capped Robin-Chat
Cossypha natalensis
Forests. Entirely orange except for brownish crown and silver-grey wings.
Chats, Robins, Thrushes
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Entirely orange from above the eyes and sides of head to undertail; no white eyebrow. Immature has pale spotting on the upper parts, dark spotting below. Has a monotonous double call note ‘trrree-trrirr, trrree-trrirr, trrree-trrirr…’ continued for long periods. The song is composed of various melodious phrases (remarkably similar to human whistling) and imitations of other bird calls; easily mistaken for the song of the [Chorister Robin-Chat]. Occurs singly or in pairs in thickets within coastal bush, forests, riverine forest and valley bush. Raises its tail frequently. Keeps mostly within dense cover in the lower and mid strata but feeds in the open late in the day.
Quick Facts
Size
18-20 cm - S
Names
A: Nataljanfrederik
Z: unonkositini
G: Natalrötel
Bird Family
Largely terrestrial, insectivorous or frugivorous birds that sing from trees, some robins rating as among our finest songsters. The sexes are alike unless otherwise stated, while immatures usually have the feathers of the upperparts pale-edged, the underparts spotted.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Occurs singly or in pairs in thickets within coastal bush, forests, riverine 'forest' and valley bush.
