Sulfur-breasted Bush-Shrike
(Orange-breasted bushshrike)
Telophorus sulfureopectus
Kerio Valley, Baringo Co., Kenya. Dec. 2015. This bird was banging a caterpillar against the branch before swallowing. Many bugs can sting, bite or thrash, therefore the bird will try to kill it first.
So many of the really beautiful, striking birds of Kenya are insect feeders. This reminds us that insect life (or dudu in kiswahili) is vital to the bird life. Conserving birds means conserving insect food base. And, on top of that, insects require native, indigenous plants to feed on. All levels of the ecosystem must operate well for us to be able watch and appreciate the colorful birds.
Malaconotidae -- Bush-Shrike Family
Books:
- Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania by Zimmerman et al.
- Birds of East Africa by Stevenson and Fanshawe