From Opus

Guttera pucherani

Photo by rudydbn
Location: St. Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Photo by Steve G
Location: Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Coastal Kenya; Subspecies G. p. pucherani

[edit] Identification

Black with pale blue spots. The outer secondaries have creamy-white outer webs, showing as a pale edge on the folded wing. The bare face and upper neck have a varying amount of blue-grey and red colouring. The crest comprises curly black feathers which vary geographically in shape.

[edit] Distribution

Locally in Sub-Saharan Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies

• G. p. verreauxi - Guinea-Bissau to w Kenya, Angola and Zambia
• G. p. sclateri - NW Cameroon
• G. p. pucherani - Somalia to Tanzania, Zanzibar and Tumbatu I.
• G. p. barbata - SE Tanzania to e Mozambique and Malawi
• G. p. edouardi - E Zambia to Mozambique and ne South Africa

[edit] Status of edouardi

Some authorities recognize the southern population (south of 12°S) as a separate species, Guttera edouardi.

[edit] Habitat

Humid forest; forest edge, thickets and dense woodland.

[edit] Behaviour

In flocks of up to 20 individuals when not breeding (April to September in southern Africa); split into smaller groups and pairs when breeding. Generally seen on road verges in dense woodland and forest, or at bush camps, where they become habituated to humans.

Forages on the ground for seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, bulbs, roots and invertebrates.

Breeding: Monogamous. The nest is a scrape in the ground in dense cover. Two to twelve eggs are laid October to February.

[edit] References

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

[edit] External Links