Karura Forest #44: Master Mimic
The cache, a small screw-capped, black-taped circular pot is hidden in the fork of a multi-trunked tree about 4m off the south side of the path. As I was placing the cache I could here this clever bird calling.
To Reach the Cache Location: enter the forest by Gate C (Junction 40a) on Kiambu Road at S 01 14.395 E 36 50.644. After parking and paying the entry fee, proceed due south along the small trail passing through the woodland which joins a jeep track and follow this around a bend to Junction 23 @ at S 01 14.477 E 36 50.485. Turn right here and then follow this track which runs along the river valley to the cache location. After about 1km having reached Junction 25, turn left (south) and on ~300m to J19. Here turn left (east) and continue ~280m to the cache location.
See GC4PD3V Karura Forest #1: Intro, info & entry for background info on the forest, opening times, entry fees, etc. and here for a detailed map of Karura & Sigiria Forests.
The circuit of Junctions 40a-23-24-25-19-18-17-16-21-22-23-23a-40a along which this cache is located is approx 5.5km and will take you past 15 caches.
The Rüppell's robin-chat (Cossypha semirufa) is a smaller version of the White-browed (or Heuglin's) robin-chat, measuring 18cm rather than 20cm, with darker, blackish central tail feathers, and in some races a more constricted supercilium behind the eye. The Ruppell's also generally favours high woodland areas whilst the Heuglin's prefers low-lying
woodlans.
It is an insectivorous bird named after the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell and found at 1,200-3,100m in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, moist shrubland and gardens in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Tanzania. The local race is C.s.intercedens.
It is a most accomplished songster - the basic song being a musical warbled thrush-like refrain given in short bursts or continuously. It often mimics other birds in the vicinity plus other animal noises, human whistles and even mobile phone sounds! It sings from cover especially before dawn and at dusk.
Listen here to an RRC mimicking a Common Bulbul, here mimicking an African Tree Frog and here mimicking a whole series of birds.