Fülleborn's Boubou

Overview

Fülleborn's boubou (Laniarius fuelleborni) is a medium-sized bird species in the family Malaconotidae. The species is named in commemoration of the German physician Friedrich Fülleborn and is currently classified as a species of Least Concern.

Identification

• Plumage: Adults are bluish slate-grey with a blacker head, wings and tail that are slightly glossed; underparts are dark slatey-grey.
• Juveniles: Upper parts are brownish-black, faintly spotted with buff and lacking gloss, with underparts barred in buffy greyish-black.
• Structure: Measures 18 to 20 cm in length with a black beak and black legs; the eye is brown or reddish-brown.
• Movement: Takes to the wing only occasionally and exhibits a ponderous flight.

Habitat

Found in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia, this species inhabits humid montane forest, dense undergrowth, secondary growth, forest edges and bamboo groves. It possesses a very wide range and is described as a common species.

Did you know?

Despite having been often considered conspecific with the mountain sooty boubou complex, Fülleborn's boubou is distinguished by a different juvenile plumage, as well as morphological and vocal differences.