Babblers (Timaliidae)

Cape Rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus) - HBW 12, p. 290

French: Chétopse bridé German: Kapfelsenspringer Spanish: Saltarrocas del Cabo
Other common names: Rufous Rockjumper

Taxonomy: Malurus frenatus Temminck, 1826, Riviersonderend Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa.
Affinities uncertain. Recent biomolecular evidence suggests that this genus, rather than being included in present family, is more closely related to the picathartes (Picathartidae), but sufficiently distinct in structure, behaviour and breeding biology to merit placement in its own separate family, Chaetopidae. Further research needed. Commonly treated as conspecific with C. aurantius, but differs significantly in size, colour of underparts and extent of male’s black upper breast; the two species approach each other geographically to within 100-150 km. Monotypic.

Distribution: Western Cape and SW Eastern Cape, in S South Africa.