Archer's ground robin or Archer's robin-chat, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in the Albertine Rift montane forests.
Region
Albertine Rift, Central/East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in the montane forests of the Albertine Rift, including the Rwenzori, Kivu, and Itombwe ranges of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, western Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. It favors dense understory, thickets, and forest edges within moist evergreen forest and bamboo zones. Often keeps close to the ground along shaded gullies, stream margins, and forest floor leaf litter. It can persist in secondary growth if sufficient cover remains, but is most frequent in intact montane forest.
Altitude Range
1500–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Archer's ground robin, also known as Archer's robin-chat, is an Albertine Rift montane forest specialist that keeps to dense, shaded undergrowth. It is often heard before seen, delivering rich fluty phrases from low perches. Taxonomically it has been placed in Cossypha and by some authorities in Dessonornis. Its secretive, ground-oriented habits make it a rewarding but challenging bird to observe.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats close to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories within dense understory. Nests low in vegetation, banks, or tangled roots, with a cup-shaped nest. Both adults participate in feeding the young and defend the nest site vigorously.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rich, melodious series of fluty whistles and phrases delivered from concealed perches, often at dawn and dusk. Calls include sharp ticks and soft chucks when alarmed.
Plumage
Dusky slaty to brownish upperparts with contrasting warm rufous to orange underparts; tail typically rufous with darker central feathers. Throat and breast may be slightly paler than the belly, and the face is dark with a subtle pale eyebrow in some individuals. Overall appearance is of a compact, dark-backed robin-chat with bright rufous below.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars. Forages by hopping on the forest floor, probing leaf litter, and gleaning from low vegetation. Occasionally takes small berries or other soft fruits, especially when invertebrate prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Prefers shaded forest floor, dense tangles, and streamside thickets within montane forest and bamboo. Will forage along trails and edges where leaf litter accumulates, retreating quickly to cover when disturbed.
