Chorister Robin-Chat

The Chorister Robin-chat, Cossypha dichroa, is a robust member of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. This bird, approximately 20 cm in length, boasts dark upperparts with ear coverts and lores marginally darker than the rest of its face, head, neck, and back. Its underparts are a striking yellow-orange, and unlike some of its relatives, it lacks a white eye stripe. The juvenile's plumage is a sooty, mottled tawny-buff both above and below, and it sports a red-orange tail with a dark center.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Chorister Robin-chat, look for its large size among robin-chats, the absence of a white eye stripe, and its distinctive coloration. The dark upperparts contrast with the vibrant yellow-orange underparts, making it a relatively straightforward bird to identify in its natural habitat.

Habitat

The Chorister Robin-chat is found in evergreen forests, with a particular affinity for the mist belt region. These forests provide the dense canopy and rich insect life that this species thrives upon.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the southern regions of Africa, with its range extending from the southern Western Cape through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga to northern Limpopo. It is also found in Eswatini.

Behaviour

The Chorister Robin-chat is typically a solitary bird. It is an adept forager, gleaning insects from leaves in the forest canopy. However, during the non-breeding season from April to September, it may also forage on the ground.

Breeding

Breeding season for the Chorister Robin-chat occurs from October to early January. The female constructs an open cup nest, often situated less than 5 meters above the ground in a tree trunk hole or crevice, and occasionally on the ground. The clutch typically contains three eggs, which vary in color from pale blue to olive-brown, sometimes with dark spots. Incubation lasts 15-19 days, and the fledglings leave the nest after 14-15 days, though they remain under parental care for up to six weeks.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Chorister Robin-chat mainly consists of insects, millipedes, spiders, and ticks. During the non-breeding season, it also consumes fruit.

Conservation status

The Chorister Robin-chat is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its population.