Crimson-breasted Gonolek
Laniarius atrococcineus
A striking black-and-crimson bushshrike with a white stripe on its wing; a rare morph with yellow underparts also occurs. Singles and pairs forage alone or sometimes in mixed-species flocks in dry thornveld and dense tangles, where they prefer foraging on thicker trunks but will also forage on the open ground. Calls are variable, but mostly comprise loud ringing whistles answered by electric buzzing and grating notes.
Identification
The sexes have the same colouration and are indistinguishable from each other. The upper parts, including the wings and tail, are black, the wings having a broad white bar. The underparts are vivid scarlet. A yellow-breasted form is occasionally seen, and was at first thought to be a separate species. Young birds have a mottled and barred buff-brown appearance with a pale bill.
Taxonomy
The species was first collected by William John Burchell in 1811 near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. He named it atrococcineus meaning 'black/red', finding the striking colour combination quite remarkable. The generic name Laniarius was coined by the French ornithologist Louis Pierre Vieillot and was meant to call attention to the butcher-like habits of the group. In South West Africa its colours reminded Germans of their homeland flag and it therefore became the Reichsvogel ("Empire bird"). The species is closely related to two other bushshrikes, the yellow-crowned gonolek (Laniarius barbarus) and the black-headed gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) of East Africa, but DNA research has shown that it does not form a superspecies with the yellow-crowned gonolek (L. barbarus), the black-headed gonolek (L. erythrogaster) and the papyrus gonolek (L. mufumbiri), as previously thought.
- Scientific name
- Laniarius atrococcineus
- Authority
- (Burchell, 1822)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Genus
- Laniarius
Range and habitat
The crimson-breasted shrike is non-migratory and occurs in a broad swathe from southern Angola to the Free State province in South Africa and Northern Cape. Its preferred habitat is drier thornbush areas, in thickets and riparian scrub. It makes small seasonal migrations, preferring lower altitudes during cold periods.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This shrike is extremely nimble and restless, its penetrating whistles often being the first sign of its presence, although it is not a shy species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Fanti Sawwing
Psalidoprocne obscura
An elegant sooty-brown swallow with a distinctive long and deeply forked tail. Plumage has a greenish gloss if seen well. Female and juvenile have shorter tails, and the latter is brownish. Resident in some areas; in others, occurs only in the breeding season. Pairs prefer foraging over clearings and the edges of evergreen forest, open woodland, and cultivation, usually near water. Not very vocal, but emits faint squeaky notes and trills. The only other sawwing in Fanti’s range is Square-tailed, which has a much shorter, square-ended tail.
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
Tiny woodpecker, common and widespread across much of North America. Black-and-white plumage is nearly identical to the larger Hairy Woodpecker. Focus on the bill: Downy has a very short bill, much shorter than the length of the head. Also note the small black markings on the white outer tail feathers. Pacific population has smaller white spots on the wing and a grayer body than Eastern birds. Occurs in any wooded habitat, though western birds are more restricted to riparian areas. Often forages on smaller branches than Hairy Woodpecker. Familiar visitor to backyard feeders, especially fond of suet. Calls include a soft “pik!” and descending rattle, weaker than Hairy Woodpecker.
Sao Tome Sunbird
Dreptes thomensis
An enormous, striking blue-black sunbird with a scythe-shaped beak, red-brown eyes, a white-tipped tail and yellow-buff flanks, making it unmistakable. Female and juvenile are smaller than male. An uncommon endemic resident in lowland and primary forest below 2000 meters across São Tomé, preferring the middle levels and canopy. Found in pairs and small groups, probing bark like a creeper. Song is an uncomplicated high-pitched wheezy “tseeeuw-tsit-zlik.” Lekking males give a “tik-tik-tik” call that is not very sunbird-like.
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