Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on François Desbordes' illustration · PhyloPic

Redcap Robinchat

Cossypha natalensis

Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on François Desbordes' illustration · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
GenusCossypha (Typical Robin-Chats)
SpeciesCossypha natalensis (Redcap Robinchat)

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

at Chobe National Park

2 Verified sightings at Chobe National Park From 2019 to 2026

2,539 Verified sightings across all 33 parks From 2019 to 2026

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Redcap Robinchat

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. The red-capped robin-chat was first formally described in 1840 by the Scottish zoologist and physician Andrew Smith with its type locality given as near Port Natal in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This species is a member of the genus Cossypha which is classified within the subfamily Erithacinae of the large passerine family Muscicapidae, the chats and Old World flycatchers. However, it has been argued that the name of this clade should be Cossyphinae, as this was proposed by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in 1825 and so predates Gray's 1846 Erithacinae.

The red-capped robin-chat is a polytypic species with 3 subspecies: Cossypha natalensis natalensis (Smith, 1840) - eastern South Africa (Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal) Cossypha natalensis larischi Meise, 1958 - Nigeria to northern Angola

Cossypha natalensis intensa Mearns, 1913 - southeastern Central African Republic, South Sudan, southwestern Ethiopia, and southern Somalia south to Southern Africa. Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Chobe National Park

Cossypha heuglini

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Saxicola torquatus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Cichladusa arquata

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Erythropygia leucophrys

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Muscicapa striata

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Bradornis mariquensis

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck

Melaenornis pammelaina

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Muscicapa caerulescens

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Oenanthe pileata

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Bradornis pallidus

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Erythropygia paena

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

Erythropygia quadrivirgata

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	iSimangaliso Wetland Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~50%
2	Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
3	Meru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~10%
4	Selous Game Reserve	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
5	Kibale National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	~10%
6	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~10%
7	Akagera National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	~10%
8	Gonarezhou National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~10%
9	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
10	Bwindi Impenetrable National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%
11	Gorongosa National Park	🇲🇿 Mozambique	<5%
12	Virunga National Park	🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo	<5%
13	Mkomazi National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
14	Arusha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
15	Volcanoes National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	<5%
16	Mana Pools National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	<5%
17	Queen Elizabeth National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%
18	Nyungwe National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	<5%
19	Kafue National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	<5%
20	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
21	Ngorongoro Conservation Area	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
22	Lake Mburo National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%
23	Serengeti National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
24	Lower Zambezi National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
25	Semuliki National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	Insufficient data
26	Liwonde National Park	🇲🇼 Malawi	Insufficient data
27	Ruaha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
28	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	Insufficient data
29	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	Insufficient data
30	Murchison Falls National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	Insufficient data
31	South Luangwa National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	Insufficient data
32	Chobe National Park	🇧🇼 Botswana	Insufficient data
33	Masai Mara National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	Insufficient data

← Back to Chobe National Park

Redcap Robinchat

About the Redcap Robinchat

Recent sightings of Redcap Robinchat in Chobe National Park

Closest Relatives at Chobe National Park

White-browed Robin-Chat

African Stonechat

Collared Palmthrush

White-browed Scrub Robin

Spotted Flycatcher

Mariqua Flycatcher

Southern Black Flycatcher

Ashy Alseonax

Capped Wheatear

Pale Flycatcher

Kalahari Scrub Robin

Bearded Scrub Robin

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found