Redcap Robinchat
Cossypha natalensis
Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on François Desbordes' illustration · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusCossypha (Typical Robin-Chats)
- SpeciesCossypha natalensis (Redcap Robinchat)
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 →
Recent sightings of Redcap Robinchat in Semuliki National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Semuliki National Park
Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat
Cossypha cyanocampter
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat
Cossypha niveicapilla
White-browed Robin-Chat
Cossypha heuglini
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striata
Brown-chested Alethe
Chamaetylas poliocephala
Grey-throated Flycatcher
Myioparus griseigularis
Ashy Alseonax
Muscicapa caerulescens
Dusky-blue Flycatcher
Muscicapa comitata
Yellow-footed Flycatcher
Muscicapa sethsmithi
Forest Scrub-Robin
Erythropygia leucosticta
Grey Tit-Flycatcher
Myioparus plumbeus
Brown-backed Scrub Robin
Erythropygia hartlaubi
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.