The Cape robin-chat is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It has a disjunct range from South Sudan to South Africa.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from South Sudan and the Ethiopian highlands in disjunct populations south through East Africa to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Most common in woodland edges, riparian thickets, suburban gardens, and montane scrub. It favors dense understory or shrub cover with nearby open ground for foraging. The species adapts well to human-modified landscapes where suitable cover remains. In drier regions it concentrates along watercourses and well-vegetated ravines.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Cape robin-chat is a familiar garden and forest-edge bird across much of eastern and southern Africa, often seen flicking its tail and foraging in leaf litter. It delivers a rich, whistled song at dawn and dusk and may incorporate mimicry of other birds. Pairs are territorial and will nest close to human dwellings, sometimes using crevices or sheltered ledges.
The expanded tail reveals the greyish brown central, and rufous lateral rectrices.
Cape robin-chat (at right) feeding a red-chested cuckoo parasite chick
Temperament
alert and somewhat confiding, territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct between cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs holding year-round territories. Monogamous pairs nest in dense shrubs, banks, or ledges, building a neat cup of plant fibers. They often forage quietly on the ground, hopping and flicking the tail while probing leaf litter.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rich, melodious series of clear whistles and phrases delivered from concealed perches, especially at dawn and dusk. Songs may include brief mimicry of other species and are often repeated with slight variations. Calls include sharp ticks and soft chucks when alarmed.
Plumage
Neat, compact robin-chat with grey-brown upperparts, a warm rufous rump and tail, and a bright orange throat and upper breast grading to greyish underparts. A bold white supercilium contrasts with a darker face and ear-coverts. Feathers are smooth and close-fitting, giving a sleek appearance.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and earthworms. Also consumes small snails and occasionally small amphibians. In season it supplements its diet with berries and other soft fruits, and readily accepts mealworms at garden feeding stations.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on or near the ground in leaf litter, lawns, paths, and along shrub borders. Frequently forages at forest edges, riparian thickets, and well-vegetated gardens where cover is close at hand.
