Red-capped Robin-Chat (Cossypha natalensis)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Red-capped Robin-Chat

Cossypha natalensis Smith, A, 1840

16–19 cmLength34 gWeight

The red-capped robin-chat or Natal robin (Cossypha natalensis) is a species of passerine bird belonging to the family Muscicapidae.

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya

Red-capped Robin-Chat has been recorded at 194 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 17 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. St Lucia – iGwalagwala TrailSouth Africa783 records
  2. Arabuko-Sokoke Forest NRKenya301 records
  3. St Lucia – iMfolozi River mouthSouth Africa250 records
More places
  1. iSimangaliso WP – Eastern ShoresSouth Africa192 records
  2. Eshowe – Dlinza ForestSouth Africa187 records
  3. Mkhuze GRSouth Africa172 records
  4. Umlalazi NRSouth Africa156 records
  5. Kibale NPUganda145 records
  6. Bonamanzi GRSouth Africa144 records
  7. Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa123 records

Countries and regions with the most records

South AfricaUgandaKenyaMozambiqueZimbabweTanzaniaCongo - KinshasaEthiopia

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The red-capped robin-chat or Natal robin (Cossypha natalensis) is a species of passerine bird belonging to the family Muscicapidae. This species is found in central and eastern Sub-Saharan Africa.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Red-capped Robin-Chat?

The Red-capped Robin-Chat is about 16–19 cm long and weighs around 34 g.

Where does the Red-capped Robin-Chat live?

Its breeding range: Africa: central, eastern, southern. It is most often recorded in South Africa, Uganda and Kenya.

When is the best time to see the Red-capped Robin-Chat?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in October and November (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the Red-capped Robin-Chat endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Red-capped Robin-Chat as Least Concern.

What does the Red-capped Robin-Chat eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Red-capped Robin-Chat in?

It belongs to the family Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Length
16–19 cm
Weight
34 g
Habitat
Woodland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Active on the ground
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
91 mm
Tail
75 mm
Bill
18 mm
Tarsus
27 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: central, eastern, southern

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Chats, Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae
Genus
Cossypha

Other birds in the genus Cossypha

White-crowned Robin-ChatWhite-crowned Robin-ChatCossypha albicapillusWhite-browed Robin-ChatWhite-browed Robin-ChatCossypha heugliniChorister Robin-ChatChorister Robin-ChatCossypha dichroaRüppell's Robin-ChatRüppell's Robin-ChatCossypha semirufaSnowy-crowned Robin-ChatSnowy-crowned Robin-ChatCossypha niveicapillaWhite-headed Robin-ChatWhite-headed Robin-ChatCossypha heinrichiBlue-shouldered Robin-ChatBlue-shouldered Robin-ChatCossypha cyanocampterWhite-tailed AletheWhite-tailed AletheAlethe diademataFire-crested AletheFire-crested AletheAlethe castaneaKaroo Scrub RobinKaroo Scrub RobinTychaedon coryphoeus
Red-capped Robin-Chat

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