From Opus

Photo by safariranger
Satara Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa, June 2008

Nicator gularis

[edit] Identification

These long-tailed, heavy billed, olive-grey birds have conspicuous and unique large yellow spots on the wing coverts.

[edit] Distribution

Immature in begging pose
Photo by Alan Manson
Mkhuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, May 2008

Eastern coastal forests of Africa from southern Somalia to eastern South Africa, extending inland to riparian forest, dense woodland and sand forest in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, and Somalia.

[edit] Taxonomy

There remains some argument about the grouping of the Nicator genus with some authorities (Clements, 2007) placing it with the Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) whereas others group it with the Bush-shrikes (Malaconotidae). Beresford et al. (2005) found that molecular evidence shows that Nicator is not closely related to either group, and they suggest that the three species are best placed in their own family.

This is a monotypic species^[1].

[edit] Habitat

Dense coastal forest, larger riparian woodlands, sand forest, dense woodland and scrub.

[edit] Behaviour

Despite being fairly common it is secretive and shy, foraging in densely tangled undergrowth or lower branches.

[edit] Diet

Food is mainly insects taken in the canopy, in low vegetation and on the ground. Like the Fork-tailed Drongo, it will follow large mammals, feeding on flushed insects; also known to glean ticks from Warthog, Nyala, Impala, Zebra and Red Duiker.

[edit] Breeding

Monogamous and territorial. The nest is a platform of stalks, tendrils and twigs with a shallow cup; it is not woven like the nest of a Bulbul. It is usually well-concealed, and about one metre above the ground. Two to three eggs are laid November to January.

[edit] Vocalisation

It is highly vocal, singing from concealed perches; it is a species which frequently mimics other forest species.

[edit] Gallery

Photo by Steve G

Click on image to see larger version

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Beresford P, Barker FK, Ryan PG & Crowe TM. 2005. African endemics span the tree of songbirds (Passeri): molecular systematics of several evolutionary ‘enigmas’. Proc. R. Soc. B 272, 849–858.
3. Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533
4. Sinclair, I and P Ryan. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691118154

• List of references

[edit] External Links