Rueppell’s Robin Chats
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The Rueppell’s Robin Chats (Cossypha semirufa) – or Rüppell’s Robin Chats or Lesser/Black-tailed Robin Chats – are found in the following East African countries: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania; where they inhabit subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and shrubland.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- Cossypha semirufa semirufa (Rüppell, 1840) – Nominate Form
- Range extends from western Eritrea and southern and western Ethiopia south to southeastern Sudan and northern Kenya.
- Cossypha semirufa semirufa (Rüppell, 1840) – Nominate Form
- Cossypha semirufa donaldsoni (Sharpe, 1895)
- Found in eastern Ethiopia and adjacent northwestern Somalia.
- Cossypha semirufa donaldsoni (Sharpe, 1895)
- Cossypha semirufa intercedens (Cabanis, 1878)
- Found in central and southeastern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Description
The upper plumage of the adult is brownish-grey; the plumage below bright orange. The crown (top of the head) is black; with white “eye-brows” that extend from the beak to the back of the head, and a black bar across the eyes.
The juvenile plumage is a duller brownish-grey, with a lighter abdomen; and soft speckling around the head.
Similar Species:
The Rueppell’s Robin Chats resemble the related White-browed Robin Chats – however, identification can be made via their central tail feathers, which black in Rüppell’s and light brown in the White-browed. The White-browed Robin Chat also generally has a paler-colored back. Also, the Rueppel’s Robin Chat generally favors the highland areas; which the White-browed Robin Chats typically avoid. According to Audubon Society, this species is well documented.
According to BirdLife International, this species is well documented.
Alternate (Global) Names
Chinese: ????, ??? … Czech: Drozdík etiopský … Danish: Højlandsdrosselsanger … Dutch: Rüppell-lawaaimaker, Rüppells Lawaaimaker … Finnish: Pensaspunarastas, pensaspunatasku … French: Cossyphe à dos brun, Cossyphe de Rüppell … German: Braunrückenrötel, Braunrücken-Rötel … Italian: Cossifa di Ruppell, Tordo pettirosso codanera … Japanese: Akaotsugumihitaki, ogurotsugumihitaki … Norwegian: Bergtrosteskvett … Polish: zlotokos rdzawobrzuchy … Russian: ????????? ??????????? ??????? … Slovak: akalat hájový … Spanish: Cosifa de Rüppell … Swedish: Höglandssnårtrast … Swahili: Kurumbiza wa RŸppell
Additional Resources
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
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