© Peter Steward
© Vincent Wang
© Ryne Rutherford

White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini

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Identification

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A large robin-chat with striking fiery orange underparts and collar, and a dark mask and crown split by broad white eyebrows. The back and wings are olive-gray. Pairs prefer forest thickets in well developed woodland, where they forage on the ground and sing from mid-canopy. Basic variations of the bold duetted “puu-deet, puu-deet, puu-deet” song get louder and louder in a characteristic crescendo, often incorporating varied jumbled notes and imitations of other species. The similar Rüppell's Robin-Chat is smaller than White-browed Robin-Chat, has black (not brown) central tail feathers, and prefers montane forest. The lowland forest-loving Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat is smaller yet, and has a diagnostic iridescent bluish forewing.

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