Doherty's bushshrike is a colourful but skulking species of bush-shrike of the family Malaconotidae which is found in forest habitats in north-central Africa.
Region
East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in moist evergreen and montane forests, forest edges, and dense secondary growth from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi to western Kenya and northern Tanzania. It favors tangled understory, vine tangles, and thickets along streams and forest margins. Birds typically remain within low to mid-level strata where cover is dense. It tolerates selectively logged forest and regenerating habitats if sufficient undergrowth persists.
Altitude Range
900–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Doherty's bushshrike is a vividly colored yet notoriously skulking forest bird of the family Malaconotidae. It often reveals itself by rich, whistled duets exchanged between mates from dense cover. The species honors the American naturalist William Doherty, who collected extensively in East Africa. Despite being hard to see, it is locally common in suitable montane forest.
Specimen at Nairobi National Museum
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining territories within dense understory. Pairs often duet, reinforcing pair bonds and territorial claims. The nest is typically a well-hidden cup placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, mellow whistles given in antiphonal duets, often starting with a clear piping note followed by more complex phrases. Calls include sharp chacks and softer contact notes from cover.
Plumage
Bright green upperparts with a striking scarlet throat and upper breast, contrasted by a dark head and mask; underparts grade to yellowish on the belly with olive flanks.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders, with occasional small vertebrates taken opportunistically. It gleans prey from foliage and branches and may make short sallies to capture flushed insects. Fruit may be taken seasonally but forms a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, vine tangles, and along forest edges and clearings. Often works through thickets near streams and along shaded trails where cover is thick.
