Cossypha caffra
Records: 918 ( as at 2/3/2005 )
Drafted by: Bryan Groom
1st Reviewer: Etienne Marais
Draft Text Last Updated: 27th May 2005
2nd Reviewer: Faansie Peacock
Draft Text Last Updated: 14 June 2005
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Distribution: Occurs widely throughout the region, and is regularly recorded at places such as Borakalalo; Buffelsdrift & Seringveld Conservancies; Diepsloot NR; Ditholo NR; Elandsvlei; Ezemvelo PGR; Suikerbosrand NR; as well as both Pretoria and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens. The species is also very common in gardens and parks of the region.
Gaps in Knowledge: Distribution records for the south western and south eastern areas of the region are few.
Habitat: Largely a species of stream gullies, hilly areas, gardens and plantation edge. Is absent from open grassland and flat homogenous woodland. Although it is commonly found on the edges of forests, it does not penetrate into the interior of such habitats, remaining at the forest edge (Oatley 1998), and the high-degree of fragmentation in suburban areas increases the amount of suitable edge habitats and ecotones that are prefered by Cape Robin-Chats.
Status and movements: The species is an abundant breeding resident throughout the region. The species is scarce in the bushveld areas below 1100 metres, but may be more common in winter. The large number of records from Buffelsdrift Conservancy (113) allow some modelling of the movements, and supports the hypothesis that birds from the highveld may move into lower-lying bushveld areas. The Buffelsdrift population reached its maximum in May and July – times in which vocalizations are at a minimum – strongly suggesting that the resident population was augmented by altitudinal migrants (F. Peacock).
Breeding was recorded in October and November, with an unusual record in June from the Witwatersrand National Botanical Gardens (J. Irvin). Data for several ringed birds is included in the PCC/BiG database. A partially albinistic indivual, showing white feathers above the rump was recorded at Buffelsdrift Conservancy in August 2002 (R. Geddes).
Population: Whilst the species is very common, there are no details of population densities. Territories in Moreleta Park & Elardus Park in SE suburban Pretoria range from 0.08 - 0.4 ha (F. Peacock), with several pairs usually within earshot at dawn. These territory sizes are similar to the 0.05 – 0.75 ha territories reported by Rowan in the winter-rainfall region (Oatley 1998). The predicted total for the region is probably several million birds.
Conservation: The species is a very common and well-liked garden bird in the region, and is usually heard early in the morning and in the evening. Cape Robin-Chats (especially fledgelings and juveniles) are easily caught by domestic cats, but the unusually high population densities in suburban areas effectively cancel out the high predation rate. (F. Peacock). Garden owners can provide suitable nesting sites for the birds by placing flower pots, pain cans etc. in creepers or low forks of trees. The species is effected by unwise insecticide usage, which frequently leads to disformed feet and a drop in breeding success rate. The majority of records to hand indicates a presence of the species in all the recognized conservation areas of the region.