Grey-headed Bush-shrike

Malaconotus blanchoti

Other Names

    Gladiateur de Blanchot, Pie-grièche de Blanchot   Graukopfwürger       Grijskop bosklauwier, Spookklauwier   Averla di macchia testagrigia

World: In Africa local between 10°N-15°N, widespread South of 10°N except in lowland equatorial forests and drier areas in E Somalia and South-West Africa

Kenya: Widespread but uncommon in bushed and wooded country in southern central and western Kenya up to 1600m. In parts of western Kenya the range extends to 3000m. Largely absent from the dry North and East

A large bush-shrike with a large, heavy beak. This is a colourful, vocal, but shy bird which often forages in the tree canopy. Although it is difficult to spot, it is possible to catch sight of it in the scrub around Lake Baringo or in the trees alongside the Uaso Nyiro in Samburu