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Brown-backed Scrub Robin

Brown-backed Scrub Robin

Cercotrichas hartlaubi

Photo © Rafael Würtemberger

Photo © Rafael Würtemberger — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist #222295869

ABOUT

The brown-backed scrub robin (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is moist savanna.

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Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Kanyashogi·Uganda

+603 birds+26 mammals

Lake Mburo National Park

+505 birds+24 mammals

Mabamba Swamp

+464 birds+2 mammals

Murchison Falls National Park

+608 birds+33 mammals

Queen Elizabeth National Park

+672 birds+30 mammals

Aberdare National Park

Mweiga ward·Kenya

+394 birds+30 mammals

Kidepo Valley National Park

+478 birds+24 mammals

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Cyanika·Uganda

+429 birds+6 mammals

Mount-Kenya National Park

Abothuguchi west ward·Kenya

+334 birds+11 mammals

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Where to see & photograph the Brown-backed Scrub Robin (5 more) →

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Biological profile

Brown-backed Scrub Robin

A compact view of how this species lives, moves and responds to its environment.

The species at a glance

Select a card to explore the details.

Movement

Does it remain in the same area?: It generally remains in the same region
How does it move?: Local Ranging
Can its movements be anticipated?: Yes, its movements tend to repeat
Do its movements change with the seasons?: No, they are not tied to one season
Do all populations follow the same calendar?: Yes, broadly speaking

Activity

When is it active?: Mainly active by day
Does it have inactive periods?: No known inactive period

How to detect it

Is it easy to find?: It takes some patience
How can you detect it?: AcousticVisual
Does it tend to hide?: It hides in some situations
Do you need a specific technique?: Usually not
Which seasonal signs help?: Vocal Display

Habitat

Which environment does it live in?: Terrestrial
Which places does it prefer?: Shrubland
Can it adapt to different habitats?: It tolerates some variety of habitats
At what level of the habitat does it move?: Ground

Feeding

What kind of food does it eat?: Insectivore
How does it get its food?: Ground Foraging

Social life

Does it usually live alone or in a group?: It usually lives in pairs
Does it gather at certain times?: It does not usually gather seasonally

Reproduction

How does it breed?: Territorial
Where does it breed?: Shrub
Key moments in its annual cycle: Courtship Display · Annual Cycle ConsistentEgg Laying · Annual Cycle ConsistentHatching · Annual Cycle ConsistentFledging · Annual Cycle Consistent

Spatial ecology

Does it defend a territory?: Yes, it defends a territory
How far does it usually travel?: Within a local area
In which major regions does it live?: Afrotropical

Environmental response

Does its calendar change from place to place?: It changes little between places

Sensitivity

Is it affected by human disturbance?: Observe it calmly and keep your distance
When does it need the most space?: Nest

Global profile. Local behaviour and timing may vary.

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