Rufous Bush Robin

The Rufous Bush Robin , Cercotrichas galactotes, is a small member of the thrush family, now sometimes grouped with the flycatchers. It breeds around the Mediterranean and east to Pakistan. It is partially migratory, wintering in east Africa and India. This is a very rare visitor to northern Europe.

This is a bird of dry open country with bushes and shrubs. It builds its nest in a bush; three to five eggs is a typical clutch.

Rufous Bush Robin is larger than European Robin. It has brown upperparts and whitish underparts and a prominent whitish eyestripe. The western race has a paler, warmer brown back than birds in southeast Europe and Asia.

The long rufous tail is frequently fanned, showing the black and white tips of the tail feathers. All plumages are similar.

These birds feed on insects mostly caught on the ground. The clear thrush-like song has a sad tone.