Sooty Chat

Overview

The Myrmecocichla nigra is an African songbird classified within the chat subfamily. It is listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures 15 to 16 cm in length, appearing stocky with a relatively short tail compared to other chats.
• Adult males possess glossy black plumage with distinct white patches on the upper wings, often visible or partially concealed at rest.
• Females and young birds are very dark brown.
• The song is prolonged, sweet, and musical, sometimes performed in flight, featuring patterns such as "wee tewee tuweer, skwik-skueeeeer".

Habitat

It inhabits African grasslands, occurring widely but discontinuously from Senegal east to Kenya and south to Angola and Zambia. The species has an estimated range of 3,400,000 km² and is considered frequent in certain areas within its distribution.

Did you know?

The sooty chat sometimes imitates the calls of other bird species.