This was a pleasant discovery a few days ago, as I was sorting through some photos from a 2017 visit to Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. Popping up just after a few shots of a sensational sunrise was this White-browed Robin-chat that briefly made its appearance as we stopped at a ranger station at an entrance to the park.

I don’t remember anything in particularly about the encounter, only that I was lazily chasing it and another bird while waiting for our guide. It’s hardly the best image, but I do like the way its bright orange and olive brown hues stood out while bathed in early morning light. And since I only managed one image before it flew away, below is a photo of the sunrise, taken exactly 20 minutes earlier, that gave it its color bath.

White-browed Robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini) in brief (with assist from WordPress AI but double-checked by me at Birds of the World and Wikipedia):

• Size: 20-23 cm (7.9-9.1 in)
• Weight: 50-70 g (1.8-2.5 oz)
• Diet: Insectivorous; feeds on insects, spiders, and berries.
• Habitat: Found in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. Prefers forests, woodlands, and shrublands.
• Physical Description:
  • Male: Bright orange underparts, olive-brown upperparts, and a distinctive white brow.
  • Female: Similar in coloration but typically duller than males.
• Breeding: Breeds between September and January; builds a cup-shaped nest in shrubs or trees.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List); not currently facing significant threats.
• Primary Predators: Birds of prey, snakes, and larger mammals.
• Unique Behaviors: Known for its melodious song and its habit of foraging on the forest floor.
• Range of Migration: Generally resident; some local movements based on food availability.
• Migration Patterns: Non-migratory, but may shift altitudinally in response to seasonal changes.

Links for further reference:

• White-browed Robin-chat at Birds of the World
• White-browed Robin-chat at BirdLife DataZone
• White-browed Robin-chat at eBird
• White-browed Robin-chat at Avibase
• White-browed Robin-chat at Wikipedia
• White-browed Robin-chat at Oiseaux.net
• White-browed Robin-chat at iNaturalist

Adding this shot into the mix for I.J.’s Bird of the Week thread on his site Don’t Hold Your Breath.

Photos from 29 March 2017, post last updated on 14 July 2026.