Sickle-winged Chat

The sickle-winged chat, Emarginata sinuata, presents itself as a small, yet distinctive passerine bird, a member of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. With a length of approximately 15 cm and a weight ranging between 17 to 20 grams, it exhibits dark grey upperparts contrasted by brown wings and a notable rufous patch behind the eye. The tail and rump are adorned with buff-pink, punctuated by an inverted black wedge at the tail's end. Its underparts are a subtle off-white, while the bill, legs, and feet are a stark black, and the eyes a deep brown. Both sexes share a similar appearance, though juveniles can be identified by the buff tips on their feathers.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the sickle-winged chat from its relatives, observe the stark contrast between its dark upperparts and paler underparts, a feature that sets it apart from the more uniformly coloured familiar chat. Additionally, the pale salmon-buff on the rump extends only to the base of the tail, unlike the familiar chat's richer hue that nearly reaches the tail tip.

Habitat

This bird favours the Karoo scrub, short grasslands, and barren sandy or stony expanses as its natural habitat. In the western coastal regions, it adapts to agricultural lands, demonstrating its versatility.

Distribution

Endemic to southern Africa, the sickle-winged chat is a common resident breeder in South Africa and Lesotho, with its presence also recorded in the southernmost areas of Botswana and Namibia.

Behaviour

The sickle-winged chat is typically observed alone or in pairs, engaging in foraging activities on the ground or at the base of trees, primarily in search of insects. When compared to the familiar chat, it spends more time on the ground and exhibits more swift running movements. While it does flick its wings, it does so less frequently than its familiar counterpart.

Song & Calls

Listeners are treated to a 'chak-chak' call and a melodious warbled song, characteristic vocalizations of this species.

Breeding

Monogamous by nature, the sickle-winged chat constructs a cup-shaped nest from straw and leaves, typically situated on the ground under the shelter of a bush or shrub. It lays a clutch of two to four eggs, which may vary in colour from green to blue.

Similar Species

The familiar chat is the species most commonly confused with the sickle-winged chat, but careful observation of their colouration and tail patterns can aid in accurate identification.

Diet and Feeding

Insects form the staple of the sickle-winged chat's diet, which it hunts for on the ground or at the base of trees.

Conservation Status

With an extensive range estimated at 850,000 km² and a presumed large population size, the sickle-winged chat does not meet the criteria for population decline as per the IUCN Red List. Consequently, it is classified as Least Concern, indicating a stable presence in its natural habitat.