The Sangihe cicadabird is a passerine bird in the family Campephagidae that is endemic to the island of Sangir, also written as "Sangihe", and the Talaud Islands. These islands lie northeast of Sulawesi in Indonesia. The species was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Sulawesi cicadabird.
Region
Northern Wallacea (Indonesia)
Typical Environment
Occurs on Sangihe and the Talaud Islands, using primary and mature secondary lowland and hill forests. It frequents mid- to upper canopies, but also forages along forest edges and in tall secondary growth. The species tolerates some habitat mosaic with gardens and coconut groves if large trees remain. Nesting is typically in tall forest where concealed forks provide suitable sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A canopy-dwelling member of the cuckooshrike family, it hunts insects with agile sallies and deliberate gleaning, often giving harsh, cicada-like calls that inspired its name. It was formerly lumped with the Sulawesi cicadabird but differs in vocalizations and subtle plumage traits. Ongoing forest loss on small islands makes it sensitive to habitat change, so intact woodland is important for its persistence.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches; direct canopy flights
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Builds a small, neat cup nest high in a forked branch. Both parents likely share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice includes dry, buzzy notes and harsh trills reminiscent of cicada calls, interspersed with short whistles. Calls carry through the canopy but long song bouts are infrequent.
Plumage
Male largely slate-grey to blackish above with plainer grey underparts; female greyer-brown with paler, lightly barred or washed underparts. Both sexes have smooth, close-lying plumage and a slightly glossy mantle. Tail is moderately long with subtle pale edges.
Diet
Primarily hunts large insects such as cicadas, beetles, and caterpillars. Captures prey by sallying from perches and by deliberate gleaning from leaves and small branches. May occasionally take small berries or other arthropods when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid- to upper canopy of intact and semi-open forest. Also works along edges, tall secondary stands, and trees within agroforestry where vertical structure remains.
