Grey-headed Bush-Shrike

Spookvoël · Malaconotus blanchoti

A large, powerful bush-shrike with a grey head, green back, orange-washed breast and a hefty hooked bill it uses to tackle big prey like lizards and small birds. Its eerie, ghostly whistle earns the Afrikaans name Spookvoël. Shy and slow-moving, it keeps to thick cover and is usually located by voice rather than sight.

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How to identify it

Large and heavy-billed, grey head, green back and orange-yellow underparts; bigger and bulkier than Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike.

Listen for its call

Ghostly drawn-out "ooooop" — the eerie "spookvoel" (ghost bird).

Where to see it in Kruger

Resident in dense woodland and riverine thickets; secretive and best found by its haunting, mournful whistle.

Did you know

Its Afrikaans name means 'ghost bird' because of the eerie, drawn-out whistle that drifts from deep in the bush.

Often confused with

Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike

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