# Cossypha albicapilla (*Cossypha albicapillus*)

The White-crowned Robin-Chat is a colorful bird with a bright orange belly and a striking white crown. It loves to sing beautiful songs and can often be found hopping around in the bushes.

- **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests and gardens
- **Also known as:** White-crowned Robin-Chat

![Cossypha albicapilla](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cossypha_albicapilla_-London_Zoo%252C_England-8a_%281%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Drew Avery, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cossypha_albicapilla_-London_Zoo%252C_England-8a_%281%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Cossypha albicapilla has a striking white crown that contrasts sharply with its otherwise dark, olive-grey upperparts. Its underparts are a vibrant rufous-orange, and a prominent black mask extends through its eyes.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Muscicapidae
- **Genus:** Cossypha

## Interesting facts

- Its song is so varied, it can sound like many different birds singing at once!
- They build cup-shaped nests hidden in tree holes or thick bushes to keep their babies safe.
- This bird often hops around on the ground, flicking its tail up and down like a friendly greeting.
- White-crowned Robin-Chats are quite brave and curious, sometimes coming close to people!

## Special abilities

- **Master Mimic:** Cossypha albicapilla can mimic other birds' songs, weaving their calls into its own complex and melodious tunes.
- **Shadow Seeker:** Cossypha albicapilla can swiftly navigate dense undergrowth using its agile body and strong legs to find hidden insects.
- **Berry Spotter:** Cossypha albicapilla has keen eyesight that helps them spot ripe berries and fruits amidst the green foliage.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 22-24 cm
- **Wingspan:** 30-35 cm
- **Weight:** 0.05-0.06 kg
- **Lifespan:** 5-8 years
- **Clutch Size:** 2-3
- **Incubation:** 13-14 days

## Diet & Feeding

This bird enjoys a varied diet of juicy insects and sweet wild fruits.

- **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, termites, caterpillars, wild berries, small figs
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Forest Cobra (*Naja melanoleuca*) — as a potential ground predator.
- **Eats:** Cape Fig (*Ficus sur*) — fruits provide essential nutrition.
- **Eats:** Big-headed Ant (*Pheidole megacephala*) — a common insect prey item.
- **Eaten by:** Shikra (*Accipiter badius*) — a small bird of prey.

## Traits

- [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cossypha albicapilla?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Cossypha albicapilla?

22-24 cm

### What is Cossypha albicapilla's wingspan?

30-35 cm

### How much does Cossypha albicapilla weigh?

0.05-0.06 kg

### How long does Cossypha albicapilla live?

5-8 years

### What does Cossypha albicapilla eat?

This bird enjoys a varied diet of juicy insects and sweet wild fruits.

### Where is Cossypha albicapilla usually found?

Forests and gardens

### How does Cossypha albicapilla hunt?

Foraging

## More Birds

- [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*)
- [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*)
- [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*)
- [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*)

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Source: [Cossypha albicapilla: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cossypha-albicapilla)