Cossypha dichroa
The Chorister Robin-Chat occurs only in South Africa (marginally into Swaziland), where it inhabits evergreen montane and coastal forests from the Garden Route, through the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal and onto the escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Insects, other invertebrates and a variety of fruits and berries make up the biggest part of their diet. At 20cm long and a weight of up to 56g, the Chorister Robin-Chat is the biggest species of Robin-Chat in our country. They have an amazing repertoire of calls, often imitating other birds and even human whistling, dogs barking or the croaking of frogs!
Chorister Robin-Chats breed from October to December, usually in rotten holes in trees which the female lines with moss, leaves, lichens and soft grass. Clutches of 2 or 3 eggs are incubated by the female for 2-3 weeks, with chicks remaining dependent on their parents for up to 8 weeks after hatching.
The IUCN considers the Chorister Robin-Chat to be of least concern, however it also notes that the population is probably declining due to habitat destruction.
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What a beauty! Aren’t we blessed with the most amazing flora and fauna here in SA 🙂
We couldn’t agree with you more, Zest!
Hi guys. Another bird that has disappeared from Durban gardens in the past 20 years. I have seen these cure robins in the Pilgrim’s Rest/ Graskop areas of Mpumalanga.
Hi Kim! We’ve been very lucky with them in the Drakensberg – they’re quite confiding at Giant’s Castle and Tendele.
What a gorgeous bird! I must get to Africa!
If ever you get the opportunity to come and visit, Kathy, you really should jump at the chance!
Another very beautiful bird you have! 🙂 South Africa is truly a paradise for birdwatchers. I can see that the yellow color is different in some pictures, it´s much darker in the last ones. is it the shadow, or can it be so different in the colors?
They have considerable variation in the brightness of their plumage, John – I think it could perhaps be an adaptation to the denseness of their habitat; those staying in more closed forest habitats being darker than those in more localised pockets of forest patches (such as in the Drakensberg range).
Mooi foto van die meneer. Hul is besluis baie musikaal as mens dit so kan noem.
Absoluut Ineke, en gedugte nabootsers!
You have so many lovely birds in South Africa. I really like this one. (P.S. I voted.)
This is one of our favourites as well, Deb. Like the other Robin-chats in our country they are rather self-confident and often approach quite close.
Thanks as well for supporting us in the voting for the SA Blog Awards!
I’m very glad to support you. I really enjoy your blog!
Thanks again, Deb!
Two votes for you guys; third strike will be a clean sweep 👊🏻
Thank you very much for the support, Maurice!
It reminds me just a bit (at a distance) of a robin, but I like the yellow breast that it has instead of the robin’s orange.
janet
Thanks, Janet – I bet if you hear it’s singing voice you’d be even more reminded of the robin you’re familiar with. Pity I can’t find a recording that does it justice.