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Where have u seen one? They are the one of the most beautiful birds but also the one of the most difficult to see.

Any sightings of it?

My first sighting of Gorgeous Bush-shrike was at Satara on 17/12/2003

The closest I got to ticking GBS was at Pretoriuskop in late October 1989 (4 nights). It was light long before gates opened so there was a long time to stroll about the perimeter. I heard the calls up close all the time but could not spot one albeit I was looking at higher not lower stratum ( my big mistake ) and may never have such an opportunity again. Springtime is also a particularly rewarding time for all bird sightings.
Staying at Lower Sabie for 6 nights from 26th April and will make an valiant effort at all the forested well-watered points.

Saw my one and only one in the Red Rocks area Sept 03. Like most bush shrike they tend to join birding parties and this one was right in the middle. Although i,m sure they do perch higher up in trees most reports i,ve read they are in lower stratum in thick bush tangle kind of jumping around almost warbler/white eye style.

Saw my first and only one high up in a tree near Crooks Corner on our birding trip in January 2006. Saw Tropical Boubou in the same tree (also my first) while trying to find the GBS.
Did you see the Boubou Francois? Just asked JB and she missed it that time.

Have heard them loads of times all over the place (eastern part of the country). From Pafuri down into Natal midlands.

Even got it as my message tone.

Spotted this absolutely GORGEOUS bird last week during a 10 day trip to St Lucia.

Unfortunately it did not allow a photo opportunity. We heard this funny sound (not the famous "kon-koit" call) coming from a thick bush right next to the road (we were walking). Upon closer inspection we spotted the bird hopping around from branch to branch. It stayed inside the entangled vegetation the whole time, moving constantly.

We were able to watch it for quite a while and was amazed at the vivid colouring - an absolute stunner!

When we were a few meters on our way again it called repeatedly.

I was of course very exited and very chuffed!!!

Gorgeous Bush Shrike

Voice

Bell-like and loud kong-kong-kowit, pitch highest on the wit. Alarm call is a graak-graak.

Status

Locally common to fairly common resident.

Habitat

Dense bush on the edge of low land evergreen forest and fairly dry woodland, riverside bush, and in secondary growth.

Habits

Normally solitary or in pairs. Hard to see and wary. Forages in undergrowth and on the ground, turning over leaves in search of food. It silently crreps in thick vegetation when disturbed.

Diet

Insectavorous.

Breeding

October to November is breeding Season in Natal. The nest is shallow and built of grass, stalks, roots and is very well hidden.

I saw my first G B/shrike in the picnic site of one of the KZN reserves in 2004.

We were first alerted by the call and on inspection and much creeping around saw it fleetingly on and off as it scrambled around in middle of a thick bush.
Certainly a sighting I will never forget.

Seen in KZN parks and in Kruger since my last post. Definitely easier to find in the Natal parks than in Kruger.

however,

When visiting Lake Panic in the beginning of May we heard the distinctive call of this bird. It was in the bush on the eastern side of the hide. Returning in July we found this immature at the entrance to the hide. Unfortunately not the greatest pic as they are not easy to photograph. Two days later we heard them again calling from the surrounding bush to the east of the hide. Lake Panic definitely seems like a good spot lately.

Nothing beats Shabeni Koppie P Kop as there seems to be up to 6 territorial males there..got a brilliant pic of one about 25 yrs ago

Saw this one at Pafuri in November. I was so busy watching it I almost forgot to take a photo

Great sighting and photo jacliz! Well done!

wonderful pic

Kruger National Park, 13 December 2009.







Photos taken by Laine.

Still very jealous about that sighting and photo..