The sooty chat is an African songbird of the chat subfamily.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Found widely in open highland and submontane habitats, including grasslands, pastures, scrubby farmland, and edges of cultivation. It favors areas with scattered perches like rocks, fence posts, or termite mounds and often occupies recently burned or heavily grazed sites where insects are plentiful. The species is typically common in mosaic agricultural landscapes as well as natural montane grasslands and moorland edges. It is generally resident within its range and shows local movements in response to habitat condition.
Altitude Range
800–3200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sooty chat is an African songbird of the chat subfamily that often perches on rocks, posts, or termite mounds to scan for prey. Males are uniformly sooty-black while females are dark brown, making the species easy to sex in the field. It thrives in open, human-modified landscapes such as grazed pastures and recently burned grasslands. The species often benefits from grazing and fire, which expose insects on the ground.
Temperament
alert and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs during the breeding season, maintaining small territories. After breeding, loose family groups may form while foraging. Nests are placed in cavities such as banks, holes, or crevices near the ground, lined with grasses and fibers. Both parents participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a simple series of chatters and whistles delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp chack or tchik notes used in contact and alarm.
