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
Tabora Cisticola
Cisticola angusticauda
Medium-sized, long-tailed, plain cisticola. Note the rufous cap and the white tip to the tail. The tail is slightly shorter in non-breeding plumage. Found locally in a variety of savanna habitats, including both acacia savanna and broadleaf woodland. The song is a quick, high-pitched piping. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Similar to Rock-loving Cisticola, but smaller, slimmer, and not associated with rocky habitat. Somewhat like Siffling Cisticola, but has a rufous cap.
White-browed Tailorbird
Orthotomus nigriceps
A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense undergrowth in lowland and foothill forest in eastern Mindanao. Has an olive-green back and wings, an olive-green tail often held cocked, a pale gray belly, a black crown, and a white brow. Throat and chest are black in the male and white in the female with streaking around the edge. Similar to Rufous-fronted Tailorbird, especially from behind, but White-browed has black on the head with a white brow. Voice includes monotonous piping notes given in series, or a rapid whistled trill which can be rising or falling.
Northern Hawk Owl
Surnia ulula
Unique medium-sized owl of the boreal forest. Remarkably long-tailed for an owl; reminiscent of a small hawk in flight with quick, snappy wingbeats. Pale eyes give it an angry look. Brownish overall with white spotting above, barred underparts, and spotted crown. Feeds on small rodents by sight and sound. Often seen perched on the very top of a spruce tree or snag, surveying the surrounding landscape for prey. When rodent populations crash, large numbers of Northern Hawk Owls can move south of their normal range.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.