Emarginata sinuata
The Sickle-winged Chat (Emarginata sinuata) is a small, engaging passerine bird native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa, celebrated for its unique wing morphology. Measuring 14-17 cm in length and weighing 17-27 grams, this chat sports a subtle plumage of sandy-brown or grey-brown on its upperparts, contrasting with a paler, often buffy-white, underside. Distinctive field marks include a pale supercilium above a dark loral stripe, a slender dark bill, and especially, its e...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid scrublands, Karoo veld, stony plains, and open grassland with scattered bushes, typically found at elevations below 1800 meters.
Their diet consists predominantly of insects such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and termites, supplemented by spiders and other small invertebrates, occasionally consuming seeds.
Sickle-winged Chats are diurnal and largely terrestrial, spending much of their time hopping on the ground in search of food or perching on low bushes and rocks with an upright posture. Their foraging strategy involves quick dashes to snatch insects from the ground, punctuated by short aerial sal...
The Sickle-winged Chat is a resident species endemic to Southern Africa, primarily found across the vast arid and semi-arid landscapes of South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. In South Africa, its distribution is widespread across the western and central parts, particularly abundant in the Karoo, ...
Least Concern
- The 'Sickle-winged' moniker comes from the unique emarginated (notched) outer primary feathers, which are believed to create an audible rustling sound during the male's elaborate display flights, a rare adaptation among chats. - Despite its relatively drab plumage, its complex and varied song, ...