Fiery-breasted Bushshrike

Malaconotus cruentus

Identification

Large, "typical" Malaconotus Bushshrike (much larger head and heavier bill than Telephorus and Lanarius spp).
Centre of forehead, whole of crown, nape and mantle light steely grey. Rump and upper tail coverts bright olive green. lores, supercilium and a small extention under the eye very pale grey/white. Ear coverts, sides to neck, sub-moustachial and malar areas light steely grey. Chin and throat bright, rich orange.
Breast bright orange in the centre graduating to orange washed yellow at the sides. Belly, flanks and under tail coverts bright yellow. Scapulars and wing coverts bright olive green, tertials black with broad olive green margins and bold yellow tips.
Tail bright olive green with black subterminal band and yellow tip. Eye white, bill and legs blackish grey.
Rare "yellow morph" lacks orange on the underparts.

Distribution

Tropical Africa: Guinea and Sierra Leone to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and extreme western Uganda.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

Habitat

Forest, forest edge and secondary growth.

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Call: Two bell-like whistles; also a faster series of whistles ho ho ho ho ho ho.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. BF Member observations

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Fiery-breasted Bushshrike. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Fiery-breasted_Bushshrike

External Links

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