Somali Boubou (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles The Somali Boubou (Laniarius erlangeri) is a medium-size bushshrike. It was split from the Tropical Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) as a result of DNA sequence analysis, and this change in status was recognized by the International Ornithological Committee in 2008. Two colour morphs are recognized, a predominantly black one and an extremely rare black and yellow morph which was formerly considered a separate species, the Bulo Burti Boubou (Laniarius liberatus). The Somali Boubou is endemic to Somalia. The species epithet commemorates German ornithologist Baron Carlo von Erlanger who collected the holotype near Umfudu in June 1901. The adult has glossy blue-black except for white spots on the rump, visible when the wings are spread and the rump feathers are erected. The underparts are white with a buffy or pinkish tinge on the breast and flanks. The bill is black; the eyes are dark reddish-brown. The wings have white median coverts. The juvenile is similar but duller, with a greyish brown bill, the upperparts mottled by yellowish-ochre to tawny feather tips, and dusky-barred flanks.