Karoo Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas coryphoeus Scientific name definitions

15–17 cm; 19–22 g. Nominate race is dull grey-brown above and below, with white supercilium , narrow white sub­ocular crescent, whitish chin and throat, greyish malar to breast and neck side, blackish wings, black tail with white tips of outer feathers; dull brownish-buff breast tinged greyish-olive; bill and legs black. Sexes similar. Juvenile is barred dusky above and below. Race <em>cinerea</em> is slightly paler and greyer above and below .

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Song (confined to breeding season) a series of unmusical husky irregular stutters, chirrups and chirps, mixing whistles and guttural notes, sometimes involving weak mimicry and generally reminiscent of an Acrocephalus reed warbler. Calls include “skizzlezit” or “zittery” for contact and challenge, also grating “chukkaruk, chukkaruk”; sizzling chatter when mobbing; abrupt “tshiek” in alarm; regular harsh “swaynk, swaynk, swaynk” when nest disturbed; and rapid stuttering “tsik, tsik, tsik” when with fledged young.