Bush-shrikes (Malaconotidae)

Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) - HBW 14, p. 99

French: Gonolek rouge et noir German: Rotbauchwürger Spanish: Bubú Pechirrojo
Other common names: Crimson-breasted Gonolek/Boubou, Burchell's/Black-and-crimson Gonolek

Taxonomy: Lanius atrococcineus Burchell, 1822, Spuigslang Fontein (confluence of Vaal and Orange Rivers), South Africa.
Multiple genetic studies indicate that this species represents a single, deep branch in phylogenetic tree of present genus, only very distantly related to the other scarlet bush-shrikes. Until recently was regarded as forming a superspecies with L. barbarus, L. erythrogaster and L. mufumbiri, and as being closest to and sometimes conspecific with L. erythrogaster (calls apparently identical, and responds to voice playback of latter). Monotypic.

Distribution: Kalahari Basin and adjoining hardveld regions: S Angola, SW Zambia and W & S Zimbabwe S to Namibia (except W & S: Namib and Karoo), Botswana (except parts of N & C) and N & C South Africa (N & C Limpopo Province S to N Northern Cape and NW Free State).