Comoro Cuckooshrike

Ceblepyris cucullatus

A medium-sized bird with a gray back, a black hood, and pale underparts. There is an unusual and rare olive morph in which the head and back are olive-gray and the underparts greenish-buff. The juvenile is a drastically different-looking heavily streaked and spotted bird. Found locally in montane forest on the islands of Grand Comoro and Moheli. The most common vocalizations are a descending high-pitched series of soft whistles and a mild, chatty series of “chew” and “tew” notes. Within its small range, most similar to Grand Comoro and Moheli Bulbuls, but easily separated by the paler underparts and lack of an orange bill. 

Identification

The Comoro cuckooshrike (Ceblepyris cucullatus) is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Madagascar cuckooshrike. It is endemic to the Comoros. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

Taxonomy

Genus: Ceblepyris; Family: Campephagidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Ceblepyris cucullatus
Authority
(Milne-Edwards & Oustalet, 1885)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Campephagidae
Genus
Ceblepyris

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

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