Cape robin chat

Introduction: The Cape robin-chat (Cossypha caffra) or the Cape (caffra) robin, can be heard singing mainly from dawn to dusk in riverine scrub and tree lines. They can also adapt to orchards and gardens, often singly, seen frequently jerking the tail.

Distribution: Along the Orange River, through the Fish River Canyon and the Fish River valley as far north as the Hardap Dam near Mariental.
Diet: Forages in woodland and forest canopies for mainly insects. Eats ants, beetles, caterpillars and moths, bees and wasps, crickets, spiders, flies, small frogs and lizards. Also takes millipedes and earthworms. Also eats a wide variety of small fruits.

Description: A medium-sized robin-chat with orange underparts and tail. Greyish brown wings and back.
Breeding: An open cup nest is built of twigs, dead leaves and moss. Females lay 2 to 3 eggs from August to October, incubated for up to 19 days.

Size: 17cm.

Weight: 28g.