Southern Boubou

Afrikaans name: Suidelike Waterfiskaal

Photo © Steven Herbert

Laniarius ferrugineus

The Southern Boubou is part of the "shrike" family although nowadays it tends to be regarded as a "bushshrike".

They can often be heard but they are not seen that often, although they are less shy than mose of the other bushshrikes.

Southern Boubou's tend to spend most of their time low-down in thick bush or on the ground (normally near cover). Insects are their main food item but if they can catch them they will also eat small rodents and reptiles. Fruit may be eaten at times.

The female lays two or three eggs in a nest which is predominantly made by her. It is always built in a secure area with lots of surrounding vegetation. Both the male and female tend to the eggs and chicks.

In South Africa the Southern Boubou can be found in most parts of the southern and eastern regions of the country.

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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: 266

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 47

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 47

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 190

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 99

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 198

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 231

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: 123

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 186

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 187

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 115

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 75

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 280

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

Newman's Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 88

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 299

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 492

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 503

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 645

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 643

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 360

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: 136

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

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 170

List of South African Birds