Alternative name: Grey Lourie
- Corythaixoides concolor
Identification
47–50 cm (18½-19¾in), Mass 202-340 g.
- Plain grey overall plumage
- Brown eye
- Black bill, legs and feet
Distribution
Southern Africa; as far north as Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. Rare south of 29°S.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Corythaixoides concolor has four subspecies[1]:
- C. c. concolor molybdophanes:
- North-eastern Angola to southern Zaire, Zambia, southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique
- C. c. concolor pallidiceps:
- C. c. concolor bechuanae:
- Southern Angola to north-eastern Namibia, Botswana, southern Zambia and western Transvaal
- C. c. concolor concolor:
- Southern Malawi and northern Mozambique to eastern Transvaal and eastern Zululand
Habitat
Woodland, savanna and, in arid areas, riverine woodlands.
Behaviour
In pairs or small groups. Alert and inquisitive, these birds are highly vocal when alarmed; their loud, nasal kwê or kwaa often alerts other wildlife of the approach of a predator (or photographer).
Diet
Agile in trees, where it forages for fruit, flowers, buds, leaves. Insects and nestlings are also eaten.
Breeding
The nest is an simple platform of sticks in a tree, usually at a height of 3-10 m above the ground. One to four pale blue eggs are laid; the incubation period is 26-28 days.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gibbon, G. 2002. Roberts' Multimedia Birds of Southern Africa: Version 3. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. www.sabirding.co.za
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Grey Go-away-bird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Grey_Go-away-bird
External Links
Thread discussing the name.
