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Can anyone help me with this one? Seen in the Karoo area.

Thanks.



resized by gwen

Looks like a Chat Flycatcher (Bradornis infuscatus) to me. Probably a younger bird because of those mottled underparts but I can't seem to make out a yellow gape so the bird can't be too young.

I looked at the bird and at first thought it was some sort of flycatcher in the way it sits but then thought there was some chat in its build when comparing to familiar chat. So this ID of deefstes seems like a good middle ground

The dark stripe visible through the tail suggests this is a young Familiar Chat. Also, the bill and legs are not robust enough for a Chat Flycatcher IMHO and it also lacks the bristles.

I'm inclined to agree with j-ms. The tail is also too short for Chat Flycatcher but good for Familiar Chat. Disregard my earlier ID

Photographed at Sesriem:

I do not have photos of the back I'm afraid...

Your bird is at a tricky angle but I very strongly doubt that it would be a Familiar Chat which would show much more brown colours. This bird is either a Karoo Chat or a Tractrac Chat but my money would be on Karoo Chat.

The Tractrac Chat is a very pale Chat and your picture almost fits but to make matters worse, the Karoo Chat of those parts are paler than those in the rest of the subregion and not quite what you would see in your field guide. The Karoo Chat also has a slightly longer tail than the Tractrac Chat and I'm basing my opinion mostly on this feature.

Western Familiar Chats are much paler and the overall colouration may resemble other pale chats. However, the tail pattern is diagnostic. Karoo Chat has white outer tail feathers for the entire length of its tail.

TG

I would have expected a Familiar Chat, despite the fact that the western races are paler, to show at least SOME rufous, especially in the undertail and surrounding the vent if nowhere else. I see what you mean about the outer tail feathers of Karoo Chat and I agree.

Chat, familiar, Cercomela familiaris

By far the widest distribution of all chats is enjoyed by this common resident - it is found everywhere in South Africa!



A habit that may help one with identification is wing-flicking and some raising of the tail. The chestnut rump and outer tail feathers are diagnostic. Mostly found singly or in pairs especially around human settlements and picnic spots. Fond of perching on raised objects with a flat surface.

The FC is an extremely opportunistic feeder and will eat anything varying from insects (spiders, millipedes, centipedes, grasshoppers, moths, crickets, weevils, ants, butterflies, snails, beetles, flies), fruit, seeds, and scraps from animal/human meals, scavenges (road kill and other dead carcasses). Its Afrikaans name is Spekvreter. This was earned in the days of the Great Trek - the ox wagons' axles were greased using lard and these birds were often observed eating the grease from the wheel hubs. So, nothing is too weird to swallow

Its nest is a neat cup in some crevice.

Adults will feign injury if the brood is threatened to distract the intruder.

We have a pair that have raised a chick this season, saw it begging for food yesterday just next to my front door.

Heres a Familiar Chat, at least I think so, from the Pakhuis pass
on the west coast.
/Neil

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/217 ... b901_b.jpg

The ID is right and the picture is just great.

Seen at Giant's Castle on 20 Sept. 2008.

Please help me with the identification of this little bird. Seen yesterday in our garden.

Is it a Chat Flycatcher?