Western wattled cuckooshrike

The western wattled cuckooshrike or Ghana cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the family Campephagidae. It is native to the Upper Guinean Forests. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss.

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Distribution

Region

Upper Guinean Forests, West Africa

Typical Environment

Found patchily from Guinea and Sierra Leone through Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana, tied to intact lowland rainforest blocks. It favors primary and mature secondary evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, as well as swamp forests and tall gallery forest. The species forages mainly in the canopy and subcanopy, occasionally along forest edges and in selectively logged areas if large trees remain. It is generally absent from heavily degraded forest and open farmland.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size20–22 cm

Wing Span28–32 cm

Male Weight0.045 kg

Female Weight0.04 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Also known as the Ghana cuckooshrike, this species is a canopy-dwelling member of the cuckooshrike family (Campephagidae) restricted to the Upper Guinean forests of West Africa. Males have small fleshy wattles at the base of the bill, a distinctive feature within the group. It often joins mixed-species flocks high in the forest, where it gleans insects from foliage and twigs. Ongoing deforestation and fragmentation of lowland rainforest are its main threats.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and canopy-oriented

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with brief glides between canopy crowns

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, but regularly joins mixed-species flocks moving through the canopy. Nests are small cups placed on horizontal branches high above ground. Both sexes likely share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Territorial behavior is subdued, with much activity occurring within dense foliage.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A soft series of mellow whistles interspersed with brief churring notes. Calls are understated and can be easily overlooked amid forest ambient sounds.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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