Southern Boubou
Laniarius ferrugineus
Woodland. Black above with white wing-bar; white throat grades to cinnamon belly and vent.
Boubous
LC
Endemic
Description
Common endemic resident. Cinnamon coloration of belly sometimes extends in pale wash to throat, but is always richer towards belly and vent. White wing-bar appears narrow or wide depending on feather arrangement. Southeastern females are dark brown above, not black. Calls in duet: first bird utters ‘ko-ko’, replied to by ‘kweet’ or ‘boo-boo’, replied to by ‘whee-oo’ or a liquid-sounding ‘phooweeol’, replied to by ‘hueee’ or ‘churrr’. Many variations of these basic calls occur, the pleasing melody and loudness of the calls quickly drawing even non-birders’ attention. Fairly secretive, pairs remaining concealed in dense bush, usually in the lower stratum.
Quick Facts
Size
23 cm - M
Names
A: Suidelike Waterfiskaal
Z: iBhoboni
Ss: Sehweletsane
G: Flötenwürger
Bird Family
Boubous are a group of striking, often brightly coloured bushshrikes, with heavy shrike-like bills. Usually rather secretive, mostly preferring dense vegetation. Their distinctive calls, often sung in duet, are likely to be the first indication of their presence. Largely insectivorous, although some species will eat fruit and small reptiles.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
