The Solomons cicadabird, also known as Solomons cuckooshrike and black-bellied cicadabird, is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is found in the north and central islands of the Solomon Islands archipelago. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Malaita cicadabird.
Region
Solomon Islands archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs on the north and central islands of the Solomon Islands archipelago, including Choiseul, Santa Isabel, the New Georgia group (e.g., Kolombangara, Vella Lavella), and Guadalcanal. It primarily uses subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, forest edges, and secondary growth. Birds forage from the mid-story to canopy and will use wooded riparian corridors and tall secondary forest near villages. It generally avoids heavily degraded open areas but may visit gardens with tall trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Solomons cuckooshrike or black-bellied cicadabird, it belongs to the Campephagidae, a family known for canopy-gleaning insect hunters. It inhabits lowland and hill rainforests of the north and central Solomon Islands and can persist in selectively logged forests. It was formerly treated as conspecific with the Malaita cicadabird, which is now recognized as a separate species. Ongoing forest loss is a concern, particularly outside protected areas.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with occasional glides between canopy perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining small mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Builds a shallow cup nest on a horizontal branch or fork, with both sexes involved in nesting duties. Territorial during breeding but tolerant of neighbors in good habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice includes dry, insect-like buzzes and trills, reminiscent of cicada notes, delivered from mid-canopy perches. Also gives soft chattering and scolding calls during foraging and when alarmed.
Plumage
Male is slate-grey above with a contrasting dark, blackish belly and cleaner pale throat; female is duller grey-brown above with paler, lightly barred or washed underparts. Both sexes have smooth, close-lying plumage typical of cuckooshrikes and a slightly hooked, slender bill.
Diet
Primarily takes insects such as cicadas, beetles, caterpillars, and other arthropods, gleaned from foliage and branches. Will sally short distances to snatch flying prey and occasionally probes bark crevices. May supplement diet with small fruits and berries when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid- to upper canopy of primary and mature secondary rainforest. Frequently uses forest edges, ridgelines with tall trees, and riparian forest corridors.
