| Cape Rockjumper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Chaetopidae |
| Genus: | Chaetops |
| Species: | Chaetops frenatus |
The Cape Rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus) is a medium-sized insectivorous songbird endemic to the Fynbos belt of southernmost South Africa. Along with the closely related Drakensberg Rockjumper, with which it doesn't overlap in range, it is one of the two species of rockjumpers.
Description[]
The Cape Rockjumper is 23–25 cm long and weighs 54-60 g. It looks like a thrush, yet not closely related to it, with a flattened head, a thin and pointed beak, strong legs, rounded wings, and a long, oval tail with a fringe. The upperparts are black, white and dark gray. The chest, abdomen and back are red, and the legs are black. Females have a subdued coloration.
Voice[]
It produces out a series of high-frequency whistles.
Behavior[]
Mainly living in family groups, Cape Rockjumpers spend most of their lives on the ground, roaming between rocks and tall grass in search of food. They fly rarely and reluctantly due to their proportionately small wings, though they may take long gliding "flights" across valleys or downslope.
Feeding[]
Cape Rockjumpers feed on large insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates. They sometimes eat fruits and berries. Examples of invertebrates taken by this bird include caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers, beetles, flies, scorpions, annelid worms and spiders. Vertebrates eaten by this bird include lizards. geckos and amphibians.
Breeding and Nesting[]
Both sexes of these monogamous birds, using cooperative breeding techniques, are involved in nest building, egg incubating, and feeding the chicks. Their family group grounds in breeding season consist of a breeding pair and one or two additional individuals, of which those additional individuals are usually offspring from the preceding breeding season, and they play a role in territorial defense, alarm calling, and feeding the offspring of the breeding pair. The nest is built on the ground of dry grass. The female lays 2-3 eggs that are incubated for three weeks. The chicks become independent thirty days after hatching.
Distribution and Habitat[]
With a limited distribution, the Cape Rockjumper inhabits the Fynbos belt of South Africa, specifically the areas dominantly covered with low scrubby restio vegetation.