Telophorus dohertyi
The Doherty's Bushshrike (Telophorus dohertyi) is an exceptionally vibrant and striking passerine bird, renowned for its dazzling plumage. Measuring approximately 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 inches) in length, it boasts brilliant olive-green upperparts, a distinctive scarlet-red forehead and crown, and a conspicuous black mask extending through the eye. Its throat is a rich, bright yellow, contrasting sharply with a green breast band and a pristine white belly. The wings and tail are olive-green, compl...
This species primarily inhabits dense undergrowth, secondary growth, and forest edges within montane evergreen forests, typically at elevations between 1,200 and 3,000 meters.
Its diet mainly consists of insects, such as beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, along with other invertebrates. It also supplements its intake with small fruits.
Doherty's Bushshrike is a diurnal species, generally secretive and preferring to forage within the dense cover of its preferred habitat. It employs a gleaning strategy, methodically searching foliage, bark, and twigs for prey, occasionally dropping to the ground for fallen insects. Pairs are stro...
The Doherty's Bushshrike is endemic to the Afromontane forests of East-Central Africa, specifically distributed across the Albertine Rift mountains. Its range includes fragmented populations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, southwestern Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, western Kenya (notably Kaka...
Least Concern
- Doherty's Bushshrike is named after William Doherty, an American entomologist and collector who first collected the species in the late 19th century. - It is often considered one of Africa's most beautiful and strikingly colored bushshrikes, a true jewel of the forest. - Its duetting calls are ...