The chorister robin-chat is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is found in South Africa and Eswatini. Its distribution stretches from the southern Western Cape through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga to northern Limpopo. Its natural habitat is evergreen forests, especially in the mist belt region.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from the southern Western Cape through the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to Mpumalanga and northern Limpopo, and in Eswatini. It favors evergreen and Afromontane (mistbelt) forests, forested ravines, and dense riparian thickets. The species also uses forest edges and well-wooded suburban gardens adjacent to native forest. It keeps close to dense understory and leaf litter, where it forages and nests.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A forest specialist of southern Africa, the chorister robin-chat is renowned for its rich, fluted song delivered from shaded perches at dawn and dusk. It often forages quietly in leaf litter, flicking its rufous tail and occasionally mimicking other birds. Pairs are strongly territorial in the breeding season. It adapts to well-wooded gardens near natural forest.
Temperament
shy and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense cover
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs within well-defined territories. Pairs are monogamous and nest low in dense shrubs, tree ferns, or tangles, building a neat cup. Both parents feed the nestlings and defend the territory vigorously during breeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A rich, melodious series of fluted whistles and phrases, often repeated and delivered from concealed perches. Song is strongest at dawn and dusk, and may include mimicry of other forest birds.
Plumage
Upperparts dark slaty to blackish-grey with rich rufous-orange underparts and tail; plumage smooth and unspotted in adults. Juveniles are mottled brown with rufous tones. Overall appearance is clean and uniform with strong contrast between dark upperparts and warm underparts.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and spiders, gleaned from leaf litter and low vegetation. Also takes small snails and occasionally small amphibians or worms. Supplements its diet with berries and other soft fruits, especially outside the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the forest floor and in dense understory, often along shaded trails, stream edges, and ravines. Will visit fruiting shrubs and leaf litter in well-wooded gardens near natural forest.
