Tropical boubou

Introduction: Tropical boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) inhabit dense vegetation singly, in pairs or in family groups. Roosts in thick vegetation, probably due to their shy and secretive nature.

Distribution: Eastern Caprivi Strip only.

Diet: Eats a wide variety of insects and vertebrates, including chameleons, amphibians, skinks, birds' eggs, nestlings and rodents. Occasionally eats small fruits and some small snails.

Description: Medium-sized to large bush-shrike with long, fluffy back feathers that lie over the rump. Mainly black plumage. Jet black head, mantle and scapulars with a blue gloss. Laniarius means 'to butcher'. Often confused with the swamp boubou which has pure white (not pink-washed) underparts.

Breeding: Usually 2 or 3 eggs are laid between October and November and incubated for a period of around 16 days.

Size: 25cm.

Weight: 50g.