Myrmecocichla is a genus of passerine birds in the Old World chat and flycatcher family Muscicapidae. Species in this genus are found in Africa.
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. For the publication date of volume 1 see: In 1855 the English zoologist George Gray designated the type as Oenanthe formicivora Vieillot, 1818. This is a junior synonym of Motacilla formicivora 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: Image Common name Scientific name Distribution Anteater chat Myrmecocichla aethiops Sahel and East African montane forests Congo moor chat Myrmecocichla tholloni Central Africa Ant-eating chat Myrmecocichla formicivora southern Africa Mountain chat Myrmecocichla monticola southern Africa Sooty chat Myrmecocichla nigra central Africa Rüppell's black chat Myrmecocichla melaena Ethiopian Highlands Arnot's chat Myrmecocichla arnotti Miombo woodlands
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