The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Cape Robin-chat
Afrikaans name: Gewone Janfrederik
Cape Robin-chat
Photo © Steven Herbert
Cossypha caffra
The Cape Robin-chat, previously known as the Cape Robin, is a common and familiar bird over much of South Africa. It is found in most areas apart from the extremely arid regions and the far northern border of the country.
These robins are quite at home in any area that has sufficient cover interspersed with open areas. They can be seen hopping along the ground looking for food but quickly flit back into cover when disturbed.
They take a wide range of prey items ranging from small lizards and frogs to insects. They do also eat fruit on occasion.
Cape Robin-chats are normally seen singly but there is normally a number of them around in suitable habitat.
Although they may nest in winter in some areas they more commonly nest in spring. The female makes a cup-shaped nest low down in vegetation or sometimes in a man-made structure. She lays between 1 and 4 eggs and incubates them herself. The male does assist with feeding the chicks.
References and further reading
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 61Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 158
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 36
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 57
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 241
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 184
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 44
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 312
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 332
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 526
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 522
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 398
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 409
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 412
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 29
Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 76
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 85
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 324
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 324
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 65
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 232
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 185
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 111
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 160
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 21
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 194
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 60
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 80
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 172
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 94
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 168
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 63
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 210
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 63
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 232