Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus

A striking, gregarious bird that bounces about on rocky mountain slopes and crags in fynbos habitat. The sexes differ: the male has a dark rufous belly and rump, a black throat, and a white moustache; the female is duller, with a streaked chest. Pairs and small groups hop about on the ground and forage for insects between tussocks and shrubs. In territorial display, the male spreads and half-cocks his white-tipped black tail and gives a loud, rollicking “tseeur-rip, tseeur-rip, tseeur-rip” and other piping calls. The similar Drakensberg Rockjumper differs from the Cape Rockjumper by having pale orange-buff underparts and preferring montane grasslands.