Chat Bird

Chats are a diverse group of small insectivorous birds traditionally associated with the Old World and long placed within the thrush family Turdidae. Advances in molecular genetics have subsequently reclassified them within the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The term “chat” is commonly applied to robust, often ground-feeding flycatchers distributed across Europe, Asia, and Africa, many of which undertake extensive seasonal migration. Although the name is most accurately linked with members of the subfamily Saxicolinae, several unrelated songbird groups outside this lineage are also colloquially known as chats.

Taxonomic Background and Reclassification

Historical classifications grouped chats with thrushes due to similarities in their posture, plumage, and vocal behaviour. However, large-scale DNA analyses conducted in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries demonstrated that many of these birds belong more naturally within Muscicapidae. This redefinition reorganised a substantial portion of the former “chat-thrushes” into the subfamily Saxicolinae, which now encompasses numerous genera of predominantly terrestrial or semi-terrestrial flycatchers.
Other birds known as chats have very different evolutionary origins. Australian chats, belonging to the genera Ashbyia and Epthianura, are members of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae, representing an ancient Australasian lineage unrelated to the true chats. American chats of the genus Granatellus are part of the cardinal family Cardinalidae, having formerly been placed among the wood-warblers. Another distinctive species, the yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), occupies the monotypic family Icteriidae and remains taxonomically enigmatic following its removal from Parulidae.

Characteristics and Distribution

Chats display considerable variation in plumage, vocalisations, and ecological adaptations. Many species possess strong legs and upright postures, allowing efficient ground foraging. Diets are primarily insectivorous, though soft fruits and seeds may supplement seasonal feeding. They occur widely across temperate and tropical regions of the Old World, with northern species often undertaking long migratory journeys to wintering grounds in Africa or South Asia.
Habitats range from grasslands and heathlands to forest edges, alpine scrub, semi-arid plains, and riparian environments. Many species display territorial breeding behaviours, elaborate songs, and conspicuous courtship displays. In several genera, sexual dimorphism is marked, with males exhibiting more vibrant colours than females.

Genera Commonly Referred to as Chats (Subfamily Saxicolinae)

The subfamily Saxicolinae contains numerous genera traditionally regarded as chats. These include:

• Genus Tarsiger – bush-robins, including the orange-flanked bush-robin (T. cyanurus) and related species.
• Genus Luscinia – a group of four species known historically for their melodious songs.
• Genus Calliope – four species of brightly coloured ground-dwelling songbirds.
• Genus Larvivora – eight species including several well-known migratory robins.
• Genus Erithacus – containing the European robin, a familiar garden bird across Europe.
• Genus Irania – represented by the white-throated robin.
• Genus Saxicola – bush-chats and stonechats, comprising roughly fifteen species, among the most characteristic chats of open habitats.
• Genus Pogonocichla – containing P. stellata.
• Genus Swynnertonia – the Swynnerton’s robin, a species of conservation concern.
• Genus Stiphrornis – forest robins, a group whose species limits remain under scientific review.
• Genus Xenocopsychus – including X. ansorgei.
• Genus Saxicoloides – the Indian robin.
• Genus Cinclidium – containing C. frontale.
• Genus Myiomela – three species of Southeast Asian forest birds.
• Genus Grandala – famous for the cobalt-blue plumage of G. coelicolor.
• Genus Namibornis – including N. herero.
• Genus Emarginata – three species adapted to arid southern African environments.
• Genus Oenanthe (selected species) – including O. familiaris, O. scotocerca, O. fusca, O. dubia, O. melanura, and O. sordida.
• Genus Myrmecocichla – ground-loving chats such as M. nigra, M. aethiops, M. tholloni, and several others.
• Genus Thamnolaea – represented by T. cinnamomeiventris.
• Genus Pinarornis – containing P. plumosus.

These genera encapsulate the morphological and ecological diversity of the true Old World chats, spanning from forest dwellers to montane specialists and birds of arid landscapes.

Related Genera Within Saxicolinae Not Commonly Referred to as Chats

Several genera within Saxicolinae are not typically labelled as chats but share close evolutionary ties with them. These include:

• Genus Sheppardia – akalats, comprising nine species.
• Genus Cossyphicula – the white-bellied robin-chat, sometimes placed in Cossypha.
• Genus Cossypha – robin-chats with fifteen recognised species.
• Genus Cichladusa – palm thrushes.
• Genus Cercotrichas – scrub-robins.
• Genus Myophonus – whistling thrushes.
• Genus Copsychus – magpie-robins and shamas.
• Genus Phoenicurus – the true redstarts.
• Genus Enicurus – forktails, typically associated with fast-flowing streams.
• Genus Cochoa – four species inhabiting Asian montane forests.
• Genus Brachypteryx – shortwings, comprising ten species.
• Genus Heinrichia – the great shortwing.
• Genus Leonardina – the Bagobo babbler.
• Genus Oenanthe – wheatears, numbering around twenty species and occupying diverse open habitats.