#scrub robin

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas Galactotes), from a banding. Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO). 24.4.25

April 25, 2023 - Kalahari Scrub-robin or Sandy Scrub-robin (Cercotricha paena) These scrub-robins are found in open, dry regions with low trees and bushes in southern Africa. Foraging mainly on the ground, they feed on arthropods, like termites, beetles, ants, and spiders, as well as some berries. Breeding throughout the year, depending on the area of their range, they build open cup-shaped nests from dry leaves and fine twigs, lined with rootlets, tendrils, and animal hair on the ground or in thorny bushes. Females lay between two and four eggs.

These scrub robins are found in the coastal forests of Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini. Their diet is made up of invertebrates, seeds, and fruit. Often seen foraging on the ground, they sometimes follow small mammals to catch insects disturbed by them. They build deep cup-shaped nests in cavities in tree trunks or stumps from dry leaves, bark fibers, rootlets, moss, and hair. Both parents feed the chicks.

These Australasian robins are found only in northeastern Australia in the rainforests of the Cape York Peninsula. They eat insects and other invertebrates, including small gastropods, foraging on the ground while hopping and digging in leaf litter. Females build open bowl-shaped nests from sticks, twigs, and other materials.