Bird Guide

Chorister Robin-Chat vs Red-capped Robin-Chat

Chorister Robin-Chat (Cossypha dichroa)

Chorister Robin-Chat

Cossypha dichroa

Small46 gForest

This is a large robin-chat, about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. It is identified by its dark upperparts (the ear coverts and lores are slightly darker than the rest of the face, head, neck and back) and yellow-orange underparts. It has no white eye stripe. Juveniles have a sooty, mottled tawny-buff above and below and its tail is red-orange with a dark centre.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Burgert Jordaan · CC BY 4.0
Red-capped Robin-Chat (Cossypha natalensis)

Red-capped Robin-Chat

Cossypha natalensis

Small34 gWoodland

The red-capped robin-chat is a relatively large species of robin-chat with a length of 15.5 to 19 cm (6.1 to 7.5 in). The adults have an orange-rufous head, face, breast and belly with a large dark eye. The overall appearance of the head is of a plain face with the dark eye in its centre. The wings and upperparts of the body are dusky and these contrast with the dark central and bright orange outer tail feathers. The juveniles are a mottled dark brown with rufous-brown spots on the head. The upper and underparts have rufous spots, these become larger towards the belly. Voice: The red-capped robin chat has a plaintive, tremulous contact call and has other fluty vocalisations, similar to those of other robin-chats. The song is a long series of melodious whistles with a lot of mimicry included.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-capped Robin-Chat
Recorded by paulo kivuyo · lake duluti, Arusha Region, Tanzania · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dave Brown · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Chorister Robin-Chat and Red-capped Robin-Chat.