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Muscicapidae - Old World Flycatchers, Chats

There are around 286 bird species in this family. They are all found in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and in the Pacific Islands east to Hawaii.

Old World flycatchers and chats are small birds between 3-9 inches in length. They have flat, broad bills; short, rounded wings; and short legs. Most species have short tails. They come in a wide variety of colors, including black, brown, gray, blue, and red.

They eat insects and are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas.

  • The chat flycatcher is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chat Flycatcher
    (Agricola infuscatus)
    The chat flycatcher is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pale flycatcher is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pale Flycatcher
    (Agricola pallidus)
    The pale flycatcher is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Marico flycatcher is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Marico Flycatcher
    (Bradornis mariquensis)
    The Marico flycatcher is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The African gray flycatcher is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    African Gray Flycatcher
    (Bradornis microrhynchus)
    The African gray flycatcher is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rusty-bellied shortwing is found in China, India and Myanmar. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Rusty-Bellied Shortwing
    (Brachypteryx hyperythra)
    The rusty-bellied shortwing is found in China, India and Myanmar. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Tractrac chat is found in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tractrac Chat
    (Emarginata tractrac)
    The Tractrac chat is found in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Siberian rubythroat is found in Europe and Asia. It is sometimes a vagrant in Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Siberian Rubythroat
    (Calliope calliope)
    The Siberian rubythroat is found in Europe and Asia. It is sometimes a vagrant in Alaska. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black scrub-robin is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Scrub-Robin
    (Cercotrichas podobe)
    The black scrub-robin is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Thyolo Alethe is found in Malawi and Mozambique. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Thyolo Alethe
    (Chamaetylas choloensis)
    The Thyolo Alethe is found in Malawi and Mozambique. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The collared palm-thrush is found in Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Rwanda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Collared Palm-Thrush
    (Cichladusa arquata)
    The collared palm-thrush is found in Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Rwanda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The spotted morning-thrush, also known as the spotted palm-thrush, is found in is found in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spotted Morning-Thrush
    (Cichladusa guttata)
    The spotted morning-thrush, also known as the spotted palm-thrush, is found in is found in The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rufous-tailed palm-thrush is found in Angola, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Namibia, and Equatorial Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rufous-Tailed Palm-Thrush
    (Cichladusa ruficauda)
    The rufous-tailed palm-thrush is found in Angola, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Namibia, and Equatorial Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The blue-fronted robin is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-Fronted Robin
    (Cinclidium frontale)
    The blue-fronted robin is found in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-tailed robin is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Tailed Robin
    (Cinclidium leucurum)
    The white-tailed robin is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Madagascar magpie-robin is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Madagascar Magpie-Robin (Female)
    (Copsychus albospecularis)
    The Madagascar magpie-robin is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Madagascar magpie-robin is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Madagascar Magpie-Robin (Male)
    (Copsychus albospecularis)
    The Madagascar magpie-robin is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black shama is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Shama
    (Copsychus cebuensis)
    The black shama is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-browed shama is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Browed Shama
    (Copsychus luzoniensis)
    The white-browed shama is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-rumped shama is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Rumped Shama
    (Copsychus malabaricus)
    The white-rumped shama is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-vented shama is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Vented Shama
    (Copsychus niger)
    The white-vented shama is found in the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Oriental magpie-robin is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Oriental Magpie-Robin
    (Copsychus saularis)
    The Oriental magpie-robin is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Seychelles Magpie-robin is found in the Seychelles. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Seychelles Magpie-Robin
    (Copsychus sechellarum)
    The Seychelles Magpie-robin is found in the Seychelles. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The white-crowned robin-chat is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Crowned Robin-Chat
    (Cossypha albicapillus)
    The white-crowned robin-chat is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Cape robin-chat is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cape Robin-Chat
    (Cossypha caffra)
    The Cape robin-chat is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The chorister robin-chat is found in Eswatini and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chorister Robin-Chat
    (Cossypha dichroa)
    The chorister robin-chat is found in Eswatini and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-browed robin-chat is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Browed Robin-Chat
    (Cossypha heuglini)
    The white-browed robin-chat is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-throated robin-chat is found in Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Throated Robin-Chat
    (Cossypha humeralis)
    The white-throated robin-chat is found in Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Karoo chat is found in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Karoo Chat
    (Emarginata schlegelii)
    The Karoo chat is found in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sickle-winged chat is found in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sickle-Winged Chat
    (Emarginata sinuate)
    The sickle-winged chat is found in Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The European robin is found in most of Europe as well as in Northern Africa. The American robin and the European robin are not related. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    European Robin
    (Erithacus rubecula)
    The European robin is found in most of Europe as well as in Northern Africa. The American robin and the European robin are not related. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Gould's shortwing is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gould's Shortwing
    (Heteroxenicus stellatus)
    Gould's shortwing is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Sunda blue robin is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sunda Blue Robin
    (Myiomela diana)
    The Sunda blue robin is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The familiar chat is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Familiar Chat
    (Oenanthe familiaris)
    The familiar chat is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown rockchat is found in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown Rockchat
    (Oenanthe fusca)
    The brown rockchat is found in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The blackstart is found in Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Israel, Jordan, Mali, Niger, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blackstart
    (Oenanthe melanura)
    The blackstart is found in Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Israel, Jordan, Mali, Niger, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The European Robin is one of the species found in this family.
The European Robin is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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