Myrmecocichla


Myrmecocichla is a genus of passerine birds in the Old World chat and flycatcher family Muscicapidae.

Taxonomy

The genus Myrmecocichla was introduced in 1851 by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis who listed several species in the genus but did not specify the type. In 1855 the English zoologist George Gray designated the type as Oenanthe formicivora Louis [Pierre Vieillot|Vieillot], 1818. This is a junior synonym of Motacilla formicivora Wilkes (printer)|Wilkes], 1817, the ant-eating chat. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek μυρμηξ/murmēx, μυρμηκος/murmēkos meaning "ant" with κιχλη/kikhlē meaning "thrush".
The genus contains the following seven species:
ImageCommon nameScientific nameDistribution
Anteater chatMyrmecocichla aethiopsSahel and East [African montane forests]
Congo [moor chat]Myrmecocichla tholloniCentral Africa
Ant-eating chatMyrmecocichla formicivorasouthern Africa
Mountain chatMyrmecocichla monticolasouthern Africa
Sooty chatMyrmecocichla nigracentral Africa
Rüppell's [black chat]Myrmecocichla melaenaEthiopian Highlands
Arnot's chatMyrmecocichla arnottiMiombo woodlands