The black scrub robin is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is native to the Sahel and montane Arabian Peninsula. Its natural habitat is dry savanna.
Region
Sahel and Arabian Peninsula
Typical Environment
Occurs from Senegal and Mauritania east through the Sahel to Sudan and Eritrea, and in the montane regions of southwest Arabia including Yemen and southwest Saudi Arabia. It inhabits dry savanna, thorn scrub, acacia and Commiphora woodland, and semi-desert with scattered bushes. In Arabia it also uses wadis, terraces, and garden edges near villages. It adapts to lightly grazed or cultivated areas provided there is dense low cover for nesting and foraging.
Altitude Range
0–2200 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black scrub robin is a long-tailed, mostly black songbird of the Sahel and the montane fringes of the Arabian Peninsula. It often cocks and fans its tail, revealing striking white outer tail feathers and a white wing panel. It favors thorny scrub and dry savanna, where it forages close to the ground. Its song is rich and varied, sometimes including mimicry of other species.
Temperament
alert and somewhat shy, often skulking in thorny cover
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, dipping flights between bushes
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories during the breeding season. Builds a cup-shaped nest low in dense shrubs or thorn bushes. Pairs are monogamous and defend nesting areas vigorously, using tail-fanning displays.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A rich, varied warble with clear whistles and chattering phrases, often delivered from a prominent perch. Includes mimicry of other species and sharp scolding calls when alarmed.
Plumage
Mostly sooty-black with a contrasting white wing panel and white outer tail feathers on a long, graduated tail.
Diet
Primarily insects such as beetles, ants, termites, and grasshoppers, gleaned from the ground and low vegetation. Also takes spiders and other small arthropods. Occasionally consumes small berries or other plant material when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along the ground in open scrub, at the edges of thorn thickets, and around acacia clumps. Often forages in wadis, field margins, and lightly disturbed areas with sparse ground cover.
