Adult female - Rooi Els. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult female - Rooi Els. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Adult female - Rooi Els. All images copyright Simply Birding.
Cape Rockjumper
Chaetops frenatus- Habitat: Rocky and mountainous Fynbos areas preferring rocky slopes and ridges.
- Diet: Mainly arthropods but also lizards and amphibians.
- Status: Resident but may move to lower altitudes in summer.
- Calls: Song Male gives a sparrow-like pee-pee-pee. Contact and alarm calls Variations of a psuwee-psuwee-psuwee call.
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Similar looking:
Male only superficially resembles Drakensberg Rockjumper but belly deep cinnamon not buff.
Female is also unique with her greyish head and deep chestnut belly. Back markings, chestnut rump and tail pattern are diagnostic. - Similar sounding: Very simialr to Drakensberg Rockjumper but separated on distribution. Also resembles the call of Rufous-eared Warbler but habitat and altitude separate.
Fun facts
There are only two species of Rockjumper in the world and both are Southern African endemics. The entire family is resident in our region.
ID pitfalls
These are fairly distinctive birds. The combination of tail pattern, rump, facial pattern and habitat together with altitude should make the identification of these birds fairly easy.
Where to find one
They are very range restricted and choosing the right habitat is crucial to your search. In the summer months they may move to lower altitudes, even down to sea level.
There are a few popular spots where they can be seen. The most popular is the top road at Rooi Els that runs along the base of the cliffs. Other rocky pass tops in the Western Cape are also possible spots to look for them.