Tychaedon coryphoeus
A common inhabitant of Karoo scrublands and fynbos, the Karoo Scrub Robin grows to around 15cm in length and 20g in weight. They feed mainly on insects and spiders.
Karoo Scrub Robins are usually encountered in territorial pairs, which are often assisted at their nest by helpers from a previous brood. They breed in spring and summer, when the female builds a cup-shaped nest in a large heap of twigs placed at the base or in the foliage of a dense shrub, ably assisted in the provision of building materials (dry grass, leaves, fur and so on) by her mate and helpers. The female incubates the clutch of 2-4 eggs for around 2 weeks, during which time the male regularly provides food to her. The chicks fledge before they are 3 weeks old, but often stay with their parents to assist in the rearing of the next brood.
The Karoo Scrub Robin occurs only in southern Namibia, western Lesotho, and South Africa’s western provinces (Northern, Western and Eastern Cape as well as drier western parts of the Free State). The IUCN lists it as being of least concern.
DeWetsWild 
Another animal well camouflaged for its scrubland habitat.
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Isn’t it amazing!?
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Mooi soos altyd
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Dankie, Tina!
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I always like to read that your featured bird/animal is “of least concern.” Makes me happy. 🙂
janet
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Us too, Janet. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get to a point when humans no longer threaten anything that shares the planet with us?
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Jy gaan genoeg van hulle sien daar in die Kgalagadi. Sulke oulike goedjies met die mooi Afrikaanse naam, Slangverklikker. Pragtige foto’s en besondere inligting, Dries!
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Dit is die mooiste naam ja! Ek hoop een verklik vir ons n koperkapel, ek wil so graag een sien wanneer ons Kalahari toe gaan!
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Ons het nog nooit ‘n koperkapel gesien nie. Ongelukkig vir julle is dit winter en dan is die kanse nog minder.
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Die Kalahari winter kan nogal geniepsig raak ja…
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They certainly exhibit the Robin’s postures and attitudes!
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Though they’re probably a lot more drab in colouration than the typical robins, they blends in perfectly in their arid abode as a result!
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3 weeks is not a long time to grow up and leave the nest.
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Isn’t it astounding that they can go from hatching to flying in 3 weeks!?
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I was astounded when I read that!
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Great photos
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Thanks, Kelly!
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