Sooty Chat

Myrmecocichla nigra

Least ConcernRareInvertebratesGrasslandCavity nestSmall · 40 g

About the Sooty Chat

The sooty chat is an African songbird of the chat subfamily.

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

ID tip

It is 15 to 16 cm (6 to 6.25 inches) long, stocky and relatively short-tailed for a chat. The adult male's plumage is glossy black except for white patches on the upper wings that are usually visible or only partly concealed (as in the photograph at upper right) when the bird is at rest. The female and young are very dark brown. Voice: The song (in Kenya and northern Tanzania) is described as "prolonged, sweet and musical, sometimes given in flight, wee tewee tuweer, skwik-skueeeeer, cueee-eeeee-cuweeeeer, eee-euwee-tee, tseuwee-tew-skweeer-tsi-seet…." This species sometimes imitates other birds.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

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

Easily confused with

Learn the Sooty Chat for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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