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

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	339	Corythaixoides concolor concolor
2nd	339	Corythaixoides concolor
3rd	339	Corythaixoides concolor
4th	339	Corythaixoides concolor
5th	373	Corythaixoides concolor
6th	373	Corythaixoides concolor
7th	159	Corythaixoides concolor

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	339	Grey Lourie
2nd	339	Grey Loerie
3rd	339	Grey Loerie
4th	339	Grey Loerie
5th	373	Grey Lourie
6th	373	Grey Lourie
7th	159	Grey Go-away-bird

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	339	Groot Muisvoel
2nd	339	Kwêvoël
3rd	339	Kwêvoël
4th	339	Kwêvoël
5th	373	Kwêvoël
6th	373	Kwêvoël
7th	159	Kwêvoël

References and further reading

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

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 47

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

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

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

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 - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 320

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

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

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 74

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 179

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

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

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

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

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 410

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds