Fluffy chasers (Latin Sarothrura) is a genus of crane-like birds from the Sarothruridae family. There are 9 species, of which 7 species are common in sub-Saharan Africa, and two species in Madagascar.
Birds reach a body length of 14 to 17 cm with a weight of 25 to 58 grams. Their body is compact, the tail is short. Except for the mirrored fluffy chase (Sarothrura ayresi), the birds show obvious sexual dimorphism in plumage coloration. Males have predominantly black or dark brown plumage with a pattern of white stripes or dots, characteristic of each species, and a chestnut head. Females are mostly brownish (with the exception of Sarothrura ayresi). The iris is brown, the beak is brown or gray, and the legs are also brown or gray. The tail is black or chestnut. The eggs are white. All chicks have black downy plumage.
All species lead a very secretive lifestyle, some in thickets and forests, others in swamps or meadows. As far as is known, birds feed on seeds, insects and small snails.
Views
- Pearl Fluffy Chase (Sarothrura pulchra)
- Variegated fluffy chase (Sarothrura elegans)
- Red-breasted fluffy chase (Sarothrura rufa)
- Chestnut-headed Fluffy Chase (Sarothrura lugens)
- African fluffy carousel (Sarothrura boehmi)
- Chestnut-tailed fluffy shoulder (Sarothrura affinis)
- Madagascar fluffy ratchet (Sarothrura insularis)
- Mirror Fluffy Chase (Sarothrura ayresi)
- Lemurian Chase (Sarothrura watersi)
