SANParks.org Forums • View topic - Chat: Mocking Cliff-

Took this photo at Shimuwini and am having difficutly ID's it.

Can the experts help.

Thanks

Hi,

That is a male Mocking Cliff-Chat.

According to my "Birds of Southern Africa" it is found at the "bases of cliffs" and "wooded, rocky slopes".

Its call is actually mimicked songs of other birds, hence the name "Mocking".

It is on page 323 of the Sasol Bird's of Southern Africa, 3rd edition.

Thanks for the great photo.

The female is a less dramatically coloured bird

They tend to be quite localized and as such can always be guranteed a siting if you know where they hang out.

There always a pair at Nwanetsi picnic site and I suggest that if you go back to Shimuwini again you will see your bird (and his mate) again.

You can 'always' see one at Mopani restaurant - seems to nest in the wooden roof over the verandah.

See them around Olifants as well.

Richard

At almost every type of cliff you'll find them. Olifants and Mopani are great places to view them.

Mocking Cliff-chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)

Described by: Lafresnaye (1836)
Alternate common name(s): Bambara Cliff-chat, Abyssinian Cliff-chat, Ethiopian Cliff-chat, Common Cliff-chat, Cliff Chat, White-crowned Cliff-chat, Crowned Cliff-chat
Old scientific name(s): Myrmecocichla cinnamomeiventris

My first record of this bird was at a resort very close to Mapungubwe Game Reserve. I know that DvZ mentioned seeing this bird at Shimuwini before and Johann has seen it at Mopani. Richardharris and WTM also named Mopani and Olifantscamp as good places to see the bird. There are also photo records of this bird from Marakele on this website of both a male and a female. Any other reliable sites in any of the SANParks were people can look for this bird? And how common would you say they are in Kruger. Must admit I've never seen them in Kruger before.

I think that the specie name cinnamomeiventris is a very good description of the bird indicating Ã¢â‚¬â€œ cinnamon coloured ventral side (stomach)

Identification
Male : Mainly glossy black, except for bright rufous rump and belly, and white patch on the wing.
Female : Slaty black head, back, wings and tail, deep chestnut where male is bright rufous, no white patch on wing.

Weight & Size
48 g
20-23 cm

Call
Fine rich song

Distribution
Found in the western parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the eastern parts of South Africa

Status
Common Resident

Habitat
Well wooded rocky gorges and boulder strewn hillsides

Habits
Usually in small groups
Runs quickly over the ground, rocks or thick branches, sometimes with tail raised
Forages by dropping to ground from perch, or searching branches for fruit

Food
Insects and fruit

Breeding
August to December
Nest : A bowl in a hollow on a foundation of coarse plant material
Clutch : 2-4 Eggs
Incubation : Unrecorded

Photos
Male bird

Female bird (not a very clear photos)

The type of habitat the birds above was found in

francoisd wrote

Any other reliable sites in any of the SANParks were people can look for this bird? And how common would you say they are in Kruger. Must admit I've never seen them in Kruger before.

Thanks Francois, really a lovely bird.
We have also seen it in Olifantscamp, but the 1 place i can really recommend is Nwanetsi picnic spot... we always see them there. Specially when you walk on that little path up to the look out, just as you reach the lookout on your right looking down to the river... on those rocks right beneath you, and then also from the lookout if you look at the rocks beneath.

Have seen the bird almost every visit to Mopani restcamp. Sits on the wooden railing if you have a snack overlooking the dam or on the rocks. Regular sightings have also been at Nwanetsi picnic site for many years. Attached picture taken at Mopani Camp in October 2005.

Also see it regularly at Nwanetsi, it also hangs out at Mlondozi dam lookout.

I also saw one at Mopani camp in November. It was perched up on the flat roof which leads from the outside eating area to the bar, then dropped down to the other side of the decking where it puffed all its feathers out in the dust. Stunning bird!

Seen at Mopani two weeks ago.

Seen at Ezemvelo Nature Reserve.

Female - photo not very clear.

Male:

Bush Baptist wrote

Also see it regularly at Nwanetsi, it also hangs out at Mlondozi dam lookout.

Still at Mlondozi! :thumbs_up:

I wonder if the Afrikaans name "spekvreter" ("bacon eater") is relevant to their picnic spot habits! :shock:

I saw this Mocking Cliff Chat at Mlondozi dam in November 2011.