Rüppell's robin-chat is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae, that is native to the Afrotropics. It is named for the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell.
Region
Horn of Africa and East African Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs from Eritrea and Ethiopia south through the highlands of Somalia’s northwest, Kenya, and northern Tanzania. It favors moist montane and submontane habitats including forest edges, riverine thickets, coffee farms, and wooded gardens. Often associated with dense undergrowth, hedges, and ravines where it can forage under cover. In towns at elevation, it adapts well to well-vegetated yards and parks. Local movements may occur following seasonal rainfall or along elevation gradients.
Altitude Range
1000–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Rüppell's robin-chat is a melodious songster of the East African highlands, often delivering rich, fluty phrases at dawn and dusk, sometimes with mimicry of other birds. It frequents shady gardens and forest edges, where it flicks its rufous tail while foraging in leaf litter. Named after the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell, it is generally confiding near human settlements in its range. Despite habitat change in some areas, it remains widespread and common.
The nominate race in Ethiopia
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, fluttering sallies
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. Nests are cup-shaped and placed in dense shrubs, banks, or low trees; both parents care for the young. Courtship involves song, tail-flicking, and mutual chases through undergrowth.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, fluty, and varied phrases delivered with clear whistled notes, often from a concealed perch. Frequently includes mimicry of other species and becomes especially vocal at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Upperparts grey-brown to slaty with a bright rufous rump and tail; throat whitish grading to a rich rufous-orange breast and belly. Face shows a dark mask set off by a bold pale to white supercilium. Wings are dusky with warm edges; underparts clean and saturated rufous-orange.
Diet
Primarily takes ground-dwelling and foliage insects such as beetles, ants, termites, and caterpillars. Also snaps small invertebrates during short sallies from low perches. Will supplement its diet with berries and other small fruits when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages in leaf litter, along shaded paths, and within dense thickets at forest edges and in gardens. Often searches around fallen logs, stone walls, and hedges where cover is close by.
