Rufous Bush Chat

Scientific Name: Cercotrichas galactotes
Maltese Name: Rozinjol tax-Xaghri
Family: Chats and Thrushes (Turdidae)
Occurence: Very Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No

Overview:
The Bush-Robins are mostly African birds, the Rufous Bush Chat (or Rufous Bush Robin) is the only species that breeds in europe. It is lively in its actions, but can be very elusive. It often flies off into a deep bush if disturbed. When feeding, it digs large insects and worms from loose soil, catches moths in flight and hovers over flowers to catch wasps. It has a continous rufous color over black and tail. The eastern race is more greyish brown. It has a long tail with black and white tips which it tends to cock up and down while feeding.

Status:
Very Scarce. A few records (if any) each year, normally in Spring.

When to See:
April till end of May.

Where to See:
It prefers open land with bushes and trees.

Photographs:

Rufous Bush Chat, 17th April 2009, Migra Ferha.


Rufous Bush Chat,14th May 2007, Dwejra Malta.	Rufous Bush Chat,17th April 2009, Migra Ferha.

Rufous Bush Chat, 24th April 2005, Comino.

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