Familiar Chat

The familiar chat, Oenanthe familiaris, is a modestly sized member of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This bird is a common resident breeder across Africa, south of the Sahara. It is a dumpy, short-tailed bird, measuring 14–15 cm in length. The adult's plumage is a rather unassuming dull brown, with a slightly warmer hue around the ear coverts. The underparts are a subdued off-white to pale grey-brown, while the rump and outer tail feathers boast a rufous color with a dark brown tip. The central tail feathers are dark brown. The bill is short and straight, and along with the legs and feet, is black. Both sexes share a similar appearance, though juveniles can be distinguished by buff spots above and a scaly pattern on the breast.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the familiar chat, look for its rufous rump and outer tail feathers, which contrast with the dark brown tips. The bird's short, straight bill and black legs and feet are also key characteristics. Both sexes appear similar, so these features are consistent across males and females.

Habitat

The familiar chat is quite adaptable, often found in rocky and mountainous areas, as well as in close proximity to human settlements.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across Africa, south of the Sahara. It is a resident breeder, meaning it does not typically migrate and can be found in its preferred habitats year-round.

Behaviour

The familiar chat is known for its habit of flicking its wings once or twice with each movement. It is often observed sitting on rocks or hopping on bare soil. This bird is typically seen in small family groups of up to five individuals and is known for its tame and approachable nature.

Song & Calls

The familiar chat communicates with a soft "shek-shek" alarm call. Its song is a pleasant warbling trill, adding a melodic touch to its environment.

Breeding

Monogamous by nature, the familiar chat breeds at varying times across its range, from December to March in most of West Africa, March to May in Nigeria, and mainly between October and November in South Africa. The nest is a robust cup shape, constructed from plant material and lined with hair, wool, and feathers. Nesting sites are diverse, including holes in the ground, rock faces, buildings, and even disused sociable weaver nests. The species is also amenable to using nest boxes. Clutches typically consist of 2-4 greenish-blue eggs speckled with reddish-brown, which hatch after 13–15 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after a similar period. Generally, only one brood is raised each year.

Diet and Feeding

The familiar chat has a varied diet that includes insects, fruit, animal fat, and household or farmyard scraps. It has adapted to human presence, often feeding on lard used to grease wagon axles, which has earned it the Afrikaans name "spekvreter," meaning "fat-eater."

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the familiar chat as Least Concern, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its survival.