BIOLOGY OF THE SLATECOLOURED BOUBOU AND OTHER BUSH SHRIKES

Abstract

Summary Sonnenschein, E. & Reyer, H.-U. 1984. Biology of the Slatecoloured Boubou and other bush shrikes. Ostrich 55:86-96. Breeding biology of Laniarius funebris at Baringo (Kenya) was studied in three consecutive seasons from 1980–82. Details are given of the habitat of the observed population, its territories and aggressive behaviour. Nests were built at an average height of 1,5 m and 2–3 eggs were laid. Incubation lasted 17 days and was usually shared by both parents. Development of one nestling was recorded in detail. Predation on eggs and young was very high; the behaviour of only one juvenile could be observed after leaving the nest. The second part of the paper reviews what is known of the other bush shrikes in the genera Laniarius, Malaconotus (including Telophorus) and Tchagra. It is concluded that available information on plumage, distribution and habitat, nesting and feeding habits and vocalization is not sufficient to allow any general statements about relationships between ecological conditions and behaviour, duetting in particular.