Grey Go-away-bird

Afrikaans name: Kwêvoël

Goaway Bird

Photo © Steven Herbert

Corythaixoides concolor

The Grey Lourie, or Go-away Bird, is now officially called the Grey Go-away Bird (I still prefer Grey Lourie).

It has a distinctive call which gives it its popular name of 'Go-away'. There are stories (myths?) of hunters having their quarry scared off by the 'Go-away' call of this bird. They are most vocal when they are in small, loose flocks of 3 or more birds.

In some areas like Kruger National Park this is an often seen species as it flaps between one perch at the top of a tree and another. It has also become quite common in areas like Johannesburg where trees have been planted to replace the grasslands creating a mini-forest. Typically they can be seen sitting on top of a tree or bush.

Grey Louries eat berries and flowers. They will also occasionally eat seeds, chicks and insects.

They nest high in a tree. The nest is a simple structure where 3 eggs are laid. Both parents tend to eggs and chicks.

Goaway Birds like perching in the top branches of trees

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 110

Wild Issue 35 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 17

The Doves, Parrots, Louries & Cuckoos of Southern Africa - Author: M.K. Rowan - Published: 1983 - Page: 225

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 49

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 138

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 44

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 166

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 232

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 224

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 325

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 320

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 242

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 232

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 34

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 206

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 206

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 52

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 156

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 26

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 63

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 181

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 104

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 59

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 39

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 139

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 98

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 122

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 82

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 114

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 114

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 151

---

Top

List of South African Birds