Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra

A gray-brown bushshrike with rufous wings and a diagnostic brown central crown lacking black stripes above the bold pale eyebrow. Pairs skulk close to the ground, where they hop and glean for insects in coastal scrub, tangled thickets, and forest edges. The species performs an aerial display, its wings making a “prrrrrp” rattle sound before it sings a rapid descending, slowing series of musical “chew” notes. It also gives harsh scolding calls. The similar Brown-crowned Tchagra differs from the larger Southern Tchagra by having a smaller, daintier bill and a plain brown central crown that is bordered by black stripes.