- Dryoscopus gambensis
Identification
Photographed: Bird Safari Camp, Georgetown, The Gambia.
Puffbacks are members of the Bush-shrike family (Malaconotidae).
As with the other puffbacks, the Northern has loose feathers on the lowerback and rump which it puffs out making itself look like a ball. It is very similar in appearance to the Black-backed Puffback but has duller white underparts, grey rump and scapulars, and orange-red eyes. Also the 2 birds do not overlap in range.
Distribution
Africa - between 5°N and 15°N from the coastal regions in the West across to Ethiopia and S to E Zaire, Uganda and Kenya. Populations also exist in the lower Congo Basin.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Behaviour
The Northern Puffback is arboreal descending only as far as the top of tall undergrowth and rarely as far as the ground. It is primarily an insect eater but will take other invertebrate prey.
