White-Bellied Go-Away Bird

White-Bellied Go-Away Bird

Scientific name: Corythiaxoides leucogaster
Family: Musophagidae
Order: Cuculiformes
Class: Aves

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The White-Bellied Go-Away Bird is characterized by the colors gray and white. It has a white belly and white bar on its tail and wing that can only be seen only when it is flapping its wings. Aside from that, the rest of its body is gray in color. The Go-Away Bird is medium, to large in size. It has a length of about 35-75 centimeters (14-29 inches) and weighs between 230-950 grams (8 ounces- 2 pounds).

What do they sound like?

The tail of this species is long and broad and its wings are short and round which account for its weak flight. The bird's legs are medium in size and they help it to move quickly through the trees. The feet of this animal are uniquely shaped. The fourth toe is set at right angles to the foot so that it enables the bird to move both forwards and backwards. This helps the animal run and climb branches with ease.

This bird has a relatively small head and a medium sized neck. There is a crest on the top of its head which along with its facial pattern, help distinguish this species from others. The bill is short and stout and almost in the shape of a human nostril. It's belly, neck and head are furry looking compared to the rest of its body.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

The Go-Away bird is native to Central and South Africa. They usually inhabit well-wooded areas, including gardens. They like to stay deep within the forest. The type of forest varies from the driest thorn bush to evergreens.

BEHAVIOR:

These birds are non-migratory. They only move to forage and roost because of the shape in their feet and toes. They can climb trees and vines and run almost like squirrels over tree limbs. The Go-Away bird only flies short distances in a dipping motion because of its weak flight. This is a result of the shape of its wings and the broadness of its tail.

These birds usually fly very noisily from one tree to another. Their voice consists of one or two syllable barks with some longer wailing notes. Their call consists of a loud and nasal "gwaa." When they are calling, it is almost as if they are saying "go-wayeer" hence the name of the Go-Away bird. They are often seen single, or in pairs. When spotted they are usually perched on a tree branch noisily telling others to "go away." Their call is very helpful to prey animals because they will start calling loudly when a predator such as a leopard enters it's territory.

DIET:

The Go-Away birds are considered to be frugivores. They feed mostly on a large variety of fruits including berries that are poisonous to man. These birds especially like plantains, which is why they are often referred to as "plantain eaters." They also feed on few invertebrates, seeds, and buds.

NESTING AND BREEDING:

The common observation that these birds forage in groups suggest that they are social breeders, organizing themselves so that individuals other than the parents contribute to the nesting chores of incubation, brooding, and feeding the hungry young. In captivity, this species will nest in simple pairs which in turn leads to a very low success rate.

The two parents seem to demonstrate monogamy. Their nests are made of a platform of twigs. This nest is usually located at about 5-20 meters (16-66 feet) off the ground. For several weeks before egg laying, the male regurgitates gifts of fruit pulp for his female.

Once proper reproduction has begun, both birds contribute equally to the incubation, brooding, and feeding the chicks. They lay 2-3 eggs. The colors of the eggs are either a glossy white, or a pale blue/green, which weigh between 20-45 grams (0.7-1.6 ounces). The incubation period lasts about 21-24 days and the nestling period is 10-12 days. The whole process lasts about 4 weeks.

The chicks advertise their hunger by a large orange-red gape. They feed on regurgitated fruit pulp, and their parents swallow their feces. Independence from parental feeding seems to be gained at about 6 weeks, although the offspring continue to beg long after this age. The chicks are born covered in thick down and with a carpal claw. They often move off the nest and wander the tree before they can fly. They leave the nest after about 10-12 days and can fly after about 30 days. Unknown.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

BEHAVIOR:

DIET:

NESTING AND BREEDING:

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