Bird Guide

Red-capped Robin-Chat

Cossypha natalensis

Least ConcernInvertebratesWoodlandCup nestSmall · 34 g

About the Red-capped Robin-Chat

The red-capped robin-chat or Natal robin is a species of passerine bird belonging to the family Muscicapidae. This species is found in central and eastern Sub-Saharan Africa.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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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.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Red-capped Robin-Chat sounds like

Recording: paulo kivuyo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: paulo kivuyo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Red-capped Robin-Chat lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Gabon, Somalia.

When to see the Red-capped Robin-Chat

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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