Photo: Lip Kee from Singapore, Republic of Singapore · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source ↗
Black-backed Puffback
Sneeubalbyvanger · Dryoscopus cubla
A lively little canopy shrike, the male black above and white below with a piercing red eye. In display he fluffs the loose feathers of his rump into a striking white ball, giving the bird its name. Pairs move busily through treetops gleaning insects, keeping contact with a sharp, repeated clicking call.
Log your Black-backed Puffback sighting — free →How to identify it
Small black-and-white shrike with a glowing red eye; the male puffs his white rump into a fluffy ball when displaying.
Listen for its call
Clicking "click... weet" while puffing its back into a powder-puff ball.
Where to see it in Kruger
Resident in woodland canopy park-wide, working actively through the leaves; the bright red eye catches the light.
Did you know
When showing off, the male fluffs out his lower back until he looks like he is wearing a powder-puff snowball.
Often confused with
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