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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Cercotrichas galactotes
Rufous-tailed scrub robin. Greek: κoυφαηδόvι. Haraki, May 2003.
Breeding migrant, uncommon, sparsely distributed. April to September. Length 13-15 cm, wingspan 20-25 cm. Sexes similar. Open areas with patches of dense shrubs. Forages on ground taking insects, earthworms. Male has distinctive parachuting display song-flight consisting of downward swoop with wings held up at wide angle and showpiece red tail fanned out. Also voiced usually from bush tops, song is string of warbles and whistles with sad ring to it. When perched, displays tail by swinging it up and down. Builds well-hidden nest in bushes not very high above ground. Uses tactics intended to divert predators from nest.
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