The three-streaked tchagra is a species of bird in the family Malaconotidae, which is an uncommon resident of semi-desert regions in the eastern Afrotropics. The binomial of this bird commemorates the explorer Frank Linsly James, who also had the Frank James Memorial Hospital built in his honour.
Region
Horn of Africa and northern East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from Somalia and eastern Ethiopia south into northern and eastern Kenya, with local presence in similarly arid scrub elsewhere in the region. It favors semi-desert and dry Acacia–Commiphora bushland, thorn scrub, and sparsely vegetated wadis. Birds keep close to dense cover, moving between shrubs and low trees while foraging. It is generally sedentary and localized, with densities highest where thorny thickets and open ground intermix.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The three-streaked tchagra is an uncommon bushshrike of arid scrub in the eastern Afrotropics. Its scientific name commemorates the explorer Frank Linsly James. It keeps a low profile, often skulking in thorny thickets where its sandy tones provide excellent camouflage. Pairs frequently duet with mellow whistles that carry over dry scrubland.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct dashes between cover
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs that maintain territories year-round. Nests are small, cup-shaped structures placed low in thorny bushes. Pairs communicate frequently with soft calls and duets, especially at dawn. Young are tended by both adults and remain in dense cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of mellow, whistled notes, often delivered as antiphonal duets between pair members. Calls include sharp tchaks and churring notes given from within cover or a low perch.
Plumage
Sandy-brown upperparts with warmer rufous tones in the wings and a paler buffy to whitish underside. Crown shows distinctive longitudinal striping, giving a three-streaked appearance. Tail is long and graduated with pale edges and whitish outer feathers. Overall appearance is muted and well-suited to blending into arid scrub.
Diet
Primarily hunts insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and ants, supplemented by spiders and other small arthropods. Occasionally takes small lizards or other tiny vertebrates. Prey is gleaned from foliage, the ground, and low branches, with short sallies to pounce on visible targets.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along edges of thorn thickets, in scattered bush, and around dry riverbeds where open ground alternates with cover. Often forages low and under shrubs, keeping concealed while moving methodically between perches.
