Arnot's Chat

Overview

Arnot's chat (Myrmecocichla arnotti), also known as the white-headed black-chat, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. The species is found in southern Africa, ranging from Rwanda and Angola to South Africa.

Identification

• Size ranges from 16 to 18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) with a weight of around 35 g (1.2 oz).
• Male plumage is overall black with a white crown and a white patch on the wing coverts, while the female has a black crown and a white throat and neck tipped with black.
• Both sexes have black bills and legs.
• Juveniles resemble adults but feature white feather tips on the crown or throat instead of fuller white markings.

Habitat

Most commonly found in healthy stands of miombo and mopane woodland, but also occurs at lower densities in other kinds of open woodland with little herbaceous cover and very rarely near buildings. The species generally occurs from sea level to 1,500 m and is not migratory, though it undertakes some localized wandering.

Did you know?

The specific name 'arnotti' is based on a misspelling of the collector's name, 'David Arnot', and despite suggestions to correct it to 'arnoti', the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature mandates the maintenance of the original spelling.