Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Chat Flycatcher (Melaenornis infuscatus)
Chat Flycatcher

Chat Flycatcher

Melaenornis infuscatus

The chat flycatcher, known scientifically as Agricola infuscatus, is a small, dainty bird that graces the southern African landscape. It is adorned in an earthy light reddish-brown plumage, with juveniles displaying a speckled pattern. This bird measures approximately twenty centimeters in length, making it a modestly sized member of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae.

Identification Tips

When observing the chat flycatcher, look for its large, pale wing edges which contrast with its overall reddish-brown coloration. The juveniles can be identified by their speckled feathers, which differ from the more uniform adult plumage.

Habitat

This species is a denizen of the dry savanna, but it is also quite at home in shrublands and woodlands. It is often seen perched on low-lying bushes and telephone wires, surveying its surroundings.

Distribution

The chat flycatcher can be found across South Africa, Botswana, and Angola, where it is a familiar sight in suitable habitats.

Behaviour

The chat flycatcher is an active bird, frequently seen hunting for insects. It is also known to consume small reptiles, showcasing its adaptability and resourcefulness.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of the chat flycatcher includes a distinctive "cher cher chirrup" that can be heard across its range, adding a melodic backdrop to the African savanna.

Breeding

Breeding occurs throughout the year, with a peak from September to March, coinciding with the rainy season. The chat flycatcher lays an average of two to three eggs per clutch. Nesting takes place above ground in shrubs and thickets, with the female incubating the eggs for about two weeks. During this time, the male ensures the female is well-fed. Once hatched, both parents are involved in raising the young, which fledge approximately eleven to fourteen days after hatching.

Diet and Feeding

The chat flycatcher's diet primarily consists of insects such as termites, ants, and beetles. It also includes small reptiles like the blind snakes of the genus Typhlops.

Conservation status

The chat flycatcher is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This status reflects the bird's large range and stable population trends, indicating that, for now, it does not face significant threats to its survival.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Chat Flycatchers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Chats, Old World Flycatchers

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vidsπŸ¦‰πŸ¦…
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❀️
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter πŸ˜ƒ
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.