Crimson-breasted Shrike / Boubou

Afrikaans name: Rooiborslaksman

Photo © Steven Herbert

Laniarius atrococcineus

The Crimson-breasted Shrike, also known as the Crimson-breasted Boubou, has to be one of the most attractive birds in South Africa. Both sexes have a beautiful black, white and red plumage.

They are found in drier areas, but not deserts, from South Africa to Zambia and Angola.

Crimson-breasted Shrikes hunt for insects in bushes and trees. They may occasionally eat fruit or insects off the ground.

Both sexes work on making the nest which is normally sited near the trunk of a tree. Either 2 or 3 eggs are laid during spring or summer. The male and female share the incubating and feeding duties.

Interestingly the juveniles roost with their parents during their first year.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 267

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 46

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 46

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 232

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 72

Everyone's Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 67

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 190

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 278

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 374

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 374

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 3

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 412

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 300

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 494

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 504

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 648

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 646

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 358

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 394

Shrikes of Southern Africa - Author: Tony Harris and Graeme Arnott - Year Published: - Page: 146

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 77

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1979 - Page: 41

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 172

List of South African Birds