Cape Robin-Chat

Cape Robin-Chat

Cossypha caffra

Predict Sightings

Habitat

Ground

Diet

Invertebrate

Active Time

Diurnal

Size

29 g

About This Species

Found in gardens, forest edges and scrubby cover across southern Africa, where it forages on the ground for insects, often flicking its wings and tail while perched low. It sings a soft, musical phrase most often at dawn and dusk, in keeping with its crepuscular habits, so early morning or late afternoon are the best times to listen for it. It is a confiding species that often approaches quietly if you sit still near cover.

Ethical Viewing Guidelines

  • A few metres of separation is usually sufficient, and letting the bird approach rather than walking toward it minimises stress.
  • Wildlife protection law varies by country within its southern African range, so check local rules before playing calls to draw it in, and avoid this near a nest.
LCAvesPasseriformesMuscicapidae

Seasonal Activity

222,150 sightings · 2000–2026

Citizen science records via GBIF

All monthsThis month

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Muscicapidae

Traits

Diet
Invertebrate
Foraging
Ground
Activity
Diurnal
Body mass
29 g

Photo

(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings

CC-BY-NC-4.0

Occurrence data from GBIF.