The black cicadabird, also known as the New Guinea cuckooshrike or New Guinea cicadabird, is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is found in the Aru Islands and New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.
Region
Australasia (New Guinea region)
Typical Environment
Occurs across New Guinea and the nearby Aru Islands, mostly in lowland rainforests. It inhabits primary and secondary evergreen forest, swamp forest, riverine forest, and coastal mangroves. The species uses forest edges and tall secondary growth but is most frequent in intact mid- to upper-canopy strata. It is generally sedentary within suitable habitat.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the New Guinea cicadabird or New Guinea cuckooshrike, this species is a canopy-dwelling member of the Campephagidae. Males are glossy black, while females are duskier with subtle barring, making the pair sexually dimorphic. Its buzzy, cicada-like calls give the bird its common name, and it helps control large insect populations in forests and mangroves.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats between brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family parties high in the canopy. Often joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. Breeding pairs likely monogamous, building a small cup nest high in trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives buzzy, cicada-like trills and harsh, metallic notes. Calls are repeated from canopy perches and can carry through forest edges and mangroves.
