[edit] Identification

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

[edit] Distribution

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.

The species is monotypic.

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

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.

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] References

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.

Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533

Sinclair I & Ryan P. 2003. Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0620207299

[edit] External Links