European Robin vs Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher

Erithacus rubecula compared with Melaenornis chocolatinus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute European Robin Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher
Scientific Name Erithacus rubecula Melaenornis chocolatinus
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Muscicapidae Muscicapidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 14.0 cm (5.5 in) —
Wingspan 21.0 cm (8.3 in) 16.6 cm (6.5 in)
Weight 18.0 g (0.63 oz) 23.5 g (0.83 oz)
Diet Insects, worms, and berries. Often follows gardeners and large animals to catch invertebrates disturbed from … --
Clutch Size 4-7 3
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
European Robin 14.0 cm
Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher —
Wingspan
European Robin 21.0 cm
Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher 16.6 cm
Weight
European Robin 18.0 g
Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher 23.5 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

European Robin only

None

Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher only

None

European Robin

Woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens across Europe. Remarkably tame around humans, especially in Britain.

Song & Call Comparison

European Robin

Song

Exquisite, melancholic melody of thin whistled phrases, rising and falling softly. Rich, warbling song year-round; both sexes sing. Alarm call is a sharp 'tic-tic-tic'.

Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher

Geographic Range & Migration

European Robin

Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa. Northern populations migrate south in winter; western European populations are largely resident.

Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher

Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Robin

Least Concern

Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher

How to Tell Them Apart

European Robin

Plumage

Olive-brown upperparts with a warm orange-red breast and face bordered by grey. White belly and undertail coverts.

Bill

Thin, pointed dark brown bill

Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher

About These Birds

European Robin

The European robin is one of the most beloved birds in Britain, where it is the unofficial national bird. Despite its friendly demeanor toward humans, robins are fiercely territorial against their own kind, singing year-round to defend territory. Their distinctive song is one of the first to be heard at dawn.

Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher

The Abyssinian Slaty-flycatcher weighs around 24g and inhabits highland forests of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It perches upright on branches, sallying out to catch insects in the air.

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