Western Boubou
Laniarius poensis
A dark boubou, almost wholly matte black except for its grayish eyes, found in the shadows of thickets and dense vegetation. Common at higher elevations in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria. Noisy and usually found by its distinctive calls. Song is a series of whistles often ending in a harsh note: “go-WHEE-chk!”. Also makes a grating chatter, meowing “reawr” calls, and a quick, upslurred “kew-ick!” whistle, as well as other calls.
Taxonomy
It was formerly considered conspecific with the Albertine sooty boubou (Laniarius holomelas), with Willard's sooty boubou (Laniarius willardi), and with Fülleborn's sooty boubou (Laniarius fuelleborni).<p>Two subspecies are currently recognized: nominate L. p. poensis, which is endemic to Bioko; and L. p. camerunensis which occurs on mainland Africa.
- Scientific name
- Laniarius poensis
- Authority
- (Alexander, 1903)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Genus
- Laniarius
Range and habitat
It is found in the Cameroon line from Bioko, Equatorial Guinea north to Mount Oku, Cameroon and the Obudu Plateau, Nigeria. In the Cameroon highlands, it is found in montane forests, usually above 600 m in elevation. On Mount Cameroon, this species can occur at extremely low elevations on the windward slopes near the coast, with records from as low as c. 520 m above sea level. On both Bioko and Mt. Cameroon, this taxon is restricted to montane forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds

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A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of dense tangled undergrowth in lowland forest. Has olive-green wings, back, and tail, a pale belly, a gray head and chest with streaks, a rufous forehead and mask, and orange legs. Similar in habits and shape to White-browed Tailorbird, but lacks the black head and white brow. Also similar to Phillipine Leaf-Warbler, but has a longer bill and usually cocks its tail. Song is an accelerating series of slightly rising notes ending in a staccato trill.

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