Black-backed Puffback
Afrikaans name: Sneeubal

Black-backed Puffback in Kruger National Park
Photo © Steven Herbert
Dryoscopus cubla
The Black-backed Puffback is a member of the Shrike family and used to go under the name of Puffback. This name arises from the males ability to fluff up the white feathers on its back.
The Puffback feeds mainly off insects such as beetles and caterpillars but it will also take termites and some plant food.
The female is the one who builds the nest when a piar is ready to breed. She builds a neat cup structure in a tree or bush. The male does help out a bit by bringing some nesting material. Two or three eggs are laid.
Male and female are similar in looks but the male does show more black on his head and back.
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 170The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 61
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 301
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 190
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 41
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 51
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 392
Shrikes of Southern Africa - Author: Tony Harris and Graeme Arnott - Published: 0 - Page: 123
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 364
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 647
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 648
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 505
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 494
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 372
Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 90
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 372
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 78
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 284
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 116
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 186
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 187
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 123
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 73
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 232
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 108
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 100
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 248
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 190
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 47
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 47
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 267