- Campephaga flava
Identification
Length 19-22 cm
Mass 32 g
Adult male: Plumage, bill, eyes and legs are black. The gape is bright orange and the tail is rounded. Some males have a yellow patch on the carpal joint.
Adult female: Upper parts olive, finely barred black. Tail brown and yellow, wings with yellow and blackish markings. Under parts white, finely scalloped black.
Distribution
Africa: Woodland regions south of the Equator, extending northwards in eastern Africa to southern Somalia, southern Kenya, Uganda and southern Sudan.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.[1]
It has in the past been considered conspecific with Petit's Cuckoo-shrike.
Habitat
Woodlands and forest margins.
Behaviour
Either resident or local migrant. Generally solitary or in pairs.
Diet
Usually quiet and inconspicuous as they glean mainly insects from leaves, twigs and bark. Also occasionally eats fruit.
Breeding
Monogamous and territorial. The nest is a shallow cup built using moss, lichen and spider web. One to three eggs are laid September to February (in southern Africa).
Vocalisation
Call: A high-pitched trill.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- 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
- Lepage D. 2008. Avibase. Search for "Campephaga flava" downloaded March 2008.
- Sinclair I & Ryan PG 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0691118154
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Black Cuckooshrike. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Cuckooshrike
