Brown crowned tchagra

Introduction: Brown-crowned tchagraa (Tchagra australis) also known as the three-streaked tchagra, a reference to their dark-streaked head. Found singly, in pairs or small family groups in thickets in arid thornbush, bushy savannah, Acacia, mopane and other broad-leaved woodlands. They also inhabit forest edges, fallow fields and gardens.

Distribution: Widespread in central and northern Namibia including Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Etosha National Park, Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.

Diet: Forages mainly on the ground, amongst tall grass and beneath bushes for mostly insects. Eats grasshoppers, beetles and caterpillars, by running and hopping short distances and searching at the base of shrubs.

Description: Often confused with the larger black-crowned tchagra which has a black (not brown) crown.

Breeding: Male and females build a shallow, thin-walled cup made of twigs, leaf stems and grass, bound together with spider web. 2 to 4 oval eggs are laid from October to March and incubated for up to 17 days.

Size: 18cm.

Weight: 35g.