The black-backed puffback is a species of passerine bird in the family Malaconotidae. They are common to fairly common sedentary bushshrikes in various wooded habitats in Africa south of the equator. They restlessly move about singly, in pairs or family groups, and generally frequent tree canopies. Like others of its genus, the males puff out the loose rump and lower back feathers in display, to assume a remarkable ball-like appearance. They draw attention to themselves by their varied repertoire of whistling, clicking and rasping sounds. Their specific name cubla, originated with Francois Levaillant, who derived it from a native southern African name, where the "c" is an onomatopoeic click sound. None of the other five puffback species occur in southern Africa.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from Kenya and Tanzania south through Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana (east), Zambia and into much of South Africa and Eswatini. It favors wooded habitats such as savanna woodland, riverine thickets, forest edges, miombo and acacia woodland, and well-treed gardens. Most often seen in the canopy and mid-story, moving restlessly in pairs or small family groups. Absent from dense interior rainforest and very arid open habitats.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males can dramatically puff out their long, loose white rump and lower back feathers during display, briefly turning into a fluffy white ‘ball’. They are energetic canopy foragers that keep up a lively series of whistles, clicks and rasping notes. The species was named cubla from a southern African vernacular name recorded by François Levaillant.
![Male and female D. c. affinis, illustrated by Otto Finsch. This coastal race intergrades with D. c. hamatus in their contact zone.[6]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Dryoscopus_cubla_affinis%2C_Vd_Decken_Reisen%2C_Otto_Finsch_pxt%2C_Hartlaub_u_Finsch.jpg/1280px-Dryoscopus_cubla_affinis%2C_Vd_Decken_Reisen%2C_Otto_Finsch_pxt%2C_Hartlaub_u_Finsch.jpg)
Male and female D. c. affinis, illustrated by Otto Finsch. This coastal race intergrades with D. c. hamatus in their contact zone.[6]
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, often maintaining territories year-round. They build a neat cup nest well concealed in foliage, and both sexes participate in parental care. Males perform conspicuous puffback displays during courtship and territorial interactions.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A varied repertoire of clear whistles interspersed with sharp clicks and buzzing or rasping notes. Phrases are often exchanged antiphonally between pair members and can carry far through woodland.
