Doherty's Bushshrike

Overview

Doherty's bushshrike (Telophorus dohertyi) is a colourful but skulking species of bush-shrike belonging to the family Malaconotidae. It is native to forest habitats in north-central Africa. The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the American collector William Doherty.

Identification

• Adults are mostly green with a bright red forehead and throat, a broad black breast band, a bright lemon-yellow belly, and a black tail.
• Young birds appear pale green above with finely barred yellow-green underparts.
• The species is medium-sized and characterized by a loud whistling territorial call that is heard throughout the year.

Habitat

Found in the Albertine Rift montane forests and the East African montane forests, this highland species generally resides between 1,500 and 3,350 metres in altitude. It inhabits dense scrub and undergrowth on the edge and in clearings of forests, as well as in dense secondary growth and humid thickets, particularly where bracken and bamboo are mixed in.

Diet

Foraging by searching dense undergrowth, the bird gleans from the vegetation and feeds on the ground. Its diet consists primarily of arthropods, mainly beetles and grasshoppers.

Did you know?

This skulking species is more often heard than seen, yet there is a recorded observation of it being chased by a black boubou. Despite its secretive nature, its loud whistling territorial call can be heard in all months of the year.