The Angola cave chat is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Xenocopsychus; although it was placed in Cossypha between 2010 and 2022 based on the results of a 2010 molecular phylogenetic study, this placement was found to be an error. It occurs locally from western Angola to marginally south of the Kunene River in northern Namibia. Its natural habitat is rocky places in moist to dry savanna. It was previously described as being Near threatened, but has since been downgraded to Least concern.
Region
Southwest Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs locally from western Angola south to just beyond the Kunene River in northern Namibia. It is closely tied to rocky savanna landscapes, including inselbergs, escarpment slopes, boulder-strewn hills, and the mouths of caves and crevices. Birds keep near shaded rock faces and ledges where they glean prey and retreat when disturbed. Nests are typically placed in rock crevices or cavities and lined with fine plant material.
Altitude Range
200–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Angola cave chat is a rock-specialist of southwestern Africa and the sole member of the genus Xenocopsychus. It keeps close to boulder fields, cliffs, and cave mouths, where it forages and nests in crevices. Long placed with the robin-chats (Cossypha), it was restored to its own genus after genetic re-evaluation. Once considered Near Threatened, it is now assessed as Least Concern due to broader recognition of suitable habitat.
Angola cave chat
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between rocks
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small rocky territories. Pairs nest in rock crevices or holes, building a cup of grasses and rootlets. Likely monogamous, with both adults attending the nest and young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, melodious series of whistles and trills delivered from a rock perch, often brief and interspersed with pauses. Alarm calls are sharper ticks or chaks given when flushed.
Plumage
Dusky brown to grey-brown upperparts with paler buffy underparts; subtle mottling on the breast and a slightly paler throat. Tail often dark with paler or whitish outer feathers; wings plain and dusky.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and caterpillars. It gleans from rock surfaces, probes into crevices, and occasionally sallies a short distance to snatch flying insects. Foraging is deliberate, with frequent tail flicks and short dashes between cover.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on and around rock faces, boulder piles, cave mouths, and cliff bases within savanna and open woodland. Often uses shaded ledges and the ground between rocks where invertebrate prey concentrates.
