The fiery-breasted bushshrike is a species of bird in the family Malaconotidae. It is found throughout the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Region
West and Central African Rainforest
Typical Environment
Occurs from West Africa through the Congo Basin into parts of western Uganda and adjacent regions, primarily in lowland tropical rainforest. Favours mature primary forest but also uses secondary growth, forest edges, vine tangles, and dense thickets along streams. Often stays within the shaded midstory and understory, moving between lianas and saplings. It can be locally common where continuous forest remains and is notably scarce in heavily fragmented areas.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking member of the bushshrike family Malaconotidae, it remains surprisingly secretive despite its vivid underparts, keeping to dense rainforest tangles. Pairs often engage in antiphonal duets, with male and female alternating notes so rapidly they sound like one bird. Its rich whistles carry through the understory and help maintain territories in dark, cluttered habitats.
Temperament
secretive and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs that maintain year-round territories. Pairs perform coordinated duets and may join mixed-species flocks along forest edges. Nesting typically occurs in dense vegetation, with a cup nest placed low to mid-level in shrubs or tangles.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, fluty whistles delivered in clear sequences, often as antiphonal duets between mates. Calls include mellow piping notes and sharper contact whistles that carry well through the understory.
Plumage
Dense, smooth plumage with olive-green upperparts, a darker head and mask, and vivid, fiery orange-red breast blending to yellowish underparts. Wings and tail are darker olive with subtle edging. The contrast between the dark head, bright breast, and olive back is distinctive in good light.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other arthropods, gleaned from leaves, bark, and vines. It occasionally sallies to capture prey flushed from foliage and may take small vertebrates or berries opportunistically. Foraging is deliberate, with short pauses to scan before quick strikes into cover.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages in dense understory and midstory layers of lowland rainforest, including vine tangles and sapling thickets. It also works along shaded forest edges and riparian thickets where prey is abundant.
