Red-capped Robin-chat

Afrikaans name: Nataljanfrederik

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cossypha natalensis

The Red-capped Robin-chat was previously known as the Natal Robin and many people still use that name.

They like areas with lots of vegetation. These can range from parks and gardens to forests. They are more often heard than seen. They have a wide range of calls and are excellent at mimicking other birds.

The Red-capped Robin-chat normally feeds on the ground where they look for insects. They also eat fruit and a variety of smaller animals such as millipedes.

When it is time for breeding both adults assist in building the nest. They use a variety of vegetable matter such as twigs, leaves and grass. The female lays up to 4 eggs which she then incubates. Both parents assist with feeding the chicks.

Red-capped Robin-chats are normally seen by themselves and they are very territorial.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	579	Cossypha natalensis
2nd	579	Cossypha natalensis
3rd	579	Cossypha natalensis
4th	579	Cossypha natalensis
5th	600	Cossypha natalensis
6th	600	Cossypha natalensis
7th	769	Cossypha natalensis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	579	Natal Robin
2nd	579	Natal Robin
3rd	579	Natal Robin
4th	579	Natal Robin
5th	600	Natal Robin
6th	600	Natal Robin
7th	769	Red-capped Robin-chat

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	579	Natal-lawaaimaker
2nd	579	Natal-lawaaimaker
3rd	579	Natal-lawaaimaker
4th	579	Natal-lawaaimaker
5th	600	Nataljanfrederik
6th	600	Nataljanfrederik
7th	769	Nataljanfrederik

References and further reading

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 241

Wild Issue 31 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 89

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 184

Robins of Africa - Author: Terry Oatley and Graeme Arnott - Published: 1998 - Page: 99

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 312

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 44

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 332

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 521

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 525

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 407

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 308

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 396

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 294

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 328

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 74

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 328

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 112

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 66

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 232

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 194

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 60

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 61

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 120

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 160

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 209

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 170

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 93

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 66

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 66

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 233

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds