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: 170

The 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

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List of South African Birds