The cuckoo-shrikes, the Campephagidae
family are small to medium-sized
passerine
bird
species found in the subtropical and tropical Africa,
Asia and Australasia. The 84 species are found in eight (or nine)
genera which comprise five distinct groups, the 'true'
cuckoo-shrikes (Campephaga, Coracina,
Lobotos, Pteropodocys and Campochaera) the
trillers (Lalage), the minivets (Pericrocotus),
the flycatcher-shrikes (Hemipus). The wood-shrikes (Tephrodornis)
were often considered to be in this family but are probably
closer to the
helmetshrikes or
bushshrikes. Another genus, Chlamydochaera, which
has one species, the
Black-breasted Fruithunter was often placed in this
family but has now been shown to be a
thrush (Turdidae).
Cuckoo-shrikes are neither closely related to the
cuckoos or
shrikes, the name probably comes from the grey colour of
many of the cuckoo-shrikes. Some of the species also bear a
superficial resemblance to cuckoos, and have a similar
undulating flight. The grey colouration has led to one of
their other names, the greybird. In some parts of the world
they have also been known as caterpillar-birds, a name
derived from their diet. They are in fact thought by some to
be closely related to the
Old World orioles (Oriolidae), although they differ
strongly in some morphological characteristics (such as
skull morphology and the arrangements of feathers on the
wing).
Overall the cuckoo-shrikes are medium to small arboreal
birds, generally long and slender. They are predominately
greyish with white and black, although the minivets are
brightly coloured in red, yellow and black, and the Blue
Cuckoo-shrike of central Africa is all-over glossy blue. The four cuckoo-shrikes
in the genus Campephaga exhibit sexual dimorphism,
with males that have glossy black
plumage and bright red or yellow wattles, the females
having more subdued olive-green plumage.
Of the 84 species of cuckoo-shrike, the majority are
forest birds. Some species are restricted to primary forest,
like the
New Caledonian Cuckoo-shrike, others are able to use more
disturbed forest. Around eleven species use much more open
habitat, one Australian species, the Ground Cuckoo-shrike being found in open plains and
scrubland with few trees.
The 'true' cuckoo-shrikes are usually found singly, in
pairs, and in small family groups, whereas the minivets,
flycatcher-shrikes and wood-shrikes more frequently form
small flocks. There is a considerable amount of variation
within the family as a whole with regards to calls, some
call very infrequently and some, principally the minivets,
are extremely vocal.
These are mainly insectivorous, and will take large hairy
caterpillars. They have also been recorded eating small
vertebrates, and some fruit, seeds and other plant matter.
About four blotchy white, green or blue
eggs are laid in a cup nest in a tree. Incubation is
about two weeks.
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