Rock-jumper
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C. frenatus |
The Rock-jumpers are medium-sized insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Chaetops that constitutes the entire family Chaetopidae.
Originally,these birds were placed in the thrushes,but recent DNA studies[citation needed] indicate these birds are actually primitive passerines most closely related to the rockfowl (Picatharthidae), a family in which they are sometimes placed.
These are small birds with mostly brown and red plumage. Their wings are very small and they do not fly very often. They spend most of their lives running and jumping among rocks and grasses while hunting insects.
The two species, Rufous Rock-jumper, Chaetops frenatus, and Orange-breasted Rock-jumper Chaetops aurantius, are endemic residents of southern Africa.
