Photo: Peter Steward / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Boubou
Laniarius nigerrimus
Black Boubou (Laniarius nigerrimus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black Boubou (Laniarius nigerrimus) is a member of the Malaconotidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 49.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Malaconotidae Bushshrikes
- Genus Laniarius
- Species nigerrimus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 49.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Boubou is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black Boubou is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Boubou (Laniarius nigerrimus) is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF sc Somalia and coastal e Kenya.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 49.4 g, with a wing length of about 8.8 cm and a tail of around 9.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 130,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Boubou?
The Black Boubou is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 49.4 g.
Where does the Black Boubou live?
The Black Boubou is found across Africa with a range covering AF sc Somalia and coastal e Kenya, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black Boubou belong to?
The Black Boubou (Laniarius nigerrimus) belongs to the Malaconotidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black Boubou eat?
The Black Boubou is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Black Boubou migrate?
The Black Boubou is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black Boubou endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black Boubou make?
1 real field recording of the Black Boubou — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black Boubou's range?
The Black Boubou has a mapped global range of about 130,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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