Scientific name: Cercotrichas galactotes (Temminck, 1820)
Bird group: Thrushes and allies
Field characters. 16 cm. A warbler-like thrush with a long tail. Upperparts rufous-grey, supercilium whitish, long, bordered below by dark eye-stripe, underparts whitish. Most obvious field character is the long, rufous, black- and white- tipped tail, which is often cocked, fanned and moved from side to side. Strong long legs and upright chat-like stance. Usually not shy, but remains in dense cover. Song performed from cover, but also from exposed song-post and in fluttery display flight.
Voice. Call 'tjuut', 'trr'. Song loud, musical and varied, often thrush-like and imitative.
Distribution. Local and rather rare summer visitor in region.
Habitat. Densely vegetated places mixed with open sandy or loamy areas, like orchards and groves, especially near hedges of succulents and palm-groves.
Food. Invertebrates and small vertebrates (eg. lizards), some fruits.