The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
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.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 711 | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| 2nd | 711 | Laniarius atro-coccineus |
| 3rd | 711 | Laniarius atro-coccineus |
| 4th | 711 | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| 5th | 739 | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| 6th | 739 | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| 7th | 551 | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 711 | Crimson-breasted Shrike |
| 2nd | 711 | Crimson-breasted Shrike |
| 3rd | 711 | Crimson-breasted Shrike |
| 4th | 711 | Crimson-breasted Shrike |
| 5th | 739 | Crimsonbreasted Shrike |
| 6th | 739 | Crimsonbreasted Boubou |
| 7th | 551 | Crimson-breasted Shrike |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 711 | Rooibors-kokkewiet |
| 2nd | 711 | Rooibors-fiskaal |
| 3rd | 711 | Rooibors-fiskaal |
| 4th | 711 | Rooibors-fiskaal |
| 5th | 739 | Rooiborslaksman |
| 6th | 739 | Rooiborslaksman |
| 7th | 551 | Rooiborslaksman |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 172Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 190
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 41
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 300
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 77
Shrikes of Southern Africa - Author: Tony Harris and Graeme Arnott - Published: 0 - Page: 146
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 358
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 394
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 504
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 648
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 646
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 382
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 494
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 214
Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 3
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 374
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 374
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 95
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 412
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 278
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 190
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 67
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 72
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 46
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 232
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 46
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 267
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