Tractrac Chat
Cercomela tractrac
Arid plains. Southern race is light grey-brown above; Namibian race very pale brown, almost white above; both races white below; rump buff or white.
LC
Near Endemic
Description
Common, near-endemic resident. Smaller and plumper than [Sickle-winged Chat], [Familiar Chat] or [Karoo Chat]. Dark southern race (a) has upper tail coverts very pale buff, almost white; pale Namibian race (b) has pure white on tail (like a wheatear). Gives a dry, scratchy ‘char-charr’ call; also musical rolling and chattering. Occurs in flat, arid plains, spending much time on the ground, where it runs swiftly.
Quick Facts
Size
14-15 cm - S
Names
A: Woestynspekvreter
G: Namibschmätzer
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 in flat, arid plains, spending much time on the ground, where it runs swiftly.
