Ajay Kumar at 13:03, 31 August 2023

2023-08-31T13:03:12Z

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{{Short description|Family of birds}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Cuckooshrike
| image = Blackfacedcuckooshrike.jpg
| image_caption = [[Black-faced cuckooshrike]]<br/>''Coracina novaehollandiae''
| taxon = Campephagidae
| authority = [[Nicholas Aylward Vigors|Vigors]], 1825
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
See text}}

The '''cuckooshrikes and allies''' in the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Campephagidae''' are small to medium-sized [[passerine]] [[bird]] [[species]] found in the subtropical and tropical [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and [[Australasia]]. The 93 species are divided into 11 [[genus|genera]]. The woodshrikes (''[[Tephrodornis]]'') were often considered to be in this family but are now placed in their own family, [[Vangidae]], along with the [[philentoma]]s and the [[Hemipus|flycatcher-shrikes]]. Another genus, ''[[Chlamydochaera]]'', which has one species, the [[black-breasted fruithunter]], was often placed in this family but has now been shown to be a [[thrush (bird)|thrush]] (Turdidae).

==Taxonomy==
Cuckooshrikes are not closely related to either the [[cuckoo]]s or to the [[shrike]]s; the name probably comes from the grey colour of many of the cuckooshrikes. Some of the species also bear a superficial resemblance to cuckoos, and have a similar undulating flight. The grey colouration has led to one of their other names, the greybird. In some parts of the world they have also been known as caterpillar-birds, a name derived from their diet. Although unsuspected earlier, DNA studies have suggested they may be related to the [[Old World oriole]]s (Oriolidae), although they differ strongly in some morphological characteristics (such as [[skull]] morphology and the arrangements of feathers on the wing).<ref>{{ cite journal | last1=Jønsson | first1=K.A. | last2=Irestedt | first2=M. | last3=Fuchs | first3=J. | last4=Ericson | first4=P.G.P. | last5=Christidis | first5=L. | last6=Bowie | first6=R.C.K. | last7=Norman | first7=J.A. | last8=Pasque | first8=E. | last9=Fjeldså | first9=J. | year=2008 | title=Explosive avian radiations and multi-directional dispersal across Wallacea: Evidence from the Campephagidae and other crown Corvida (Aves) | journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | volume=47 | pages=221-236 | doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2008.01.017 }}</ref>

A [[molecular phylogenetic]] study of the Campephegidae published in 2010 found that the speciose genus ''[[Coracina]]'' was non-[[monophyletic]]. In the resulting reorganization to create monophyletic genera five genera were resurrected. A large group of species previously assigned to ''Coracina'' was moved to ''[[Edolisoma]]'' and a group of Asian and Indian Ocean cuckooshrikes was moved to ''[[Lalage (bird)|Lalage]]''. The African cuckooshrikes were moved to ''[[Ceblepyris]]'', and three species were placed in [[monotypic]] genera: [[McGregor's cuckooshrike]] was moved to ''Malindangia'', the [[pygmy cuckooshrike]] was moved to ''Celebesica'' and the [[blue cuckooshrike]] was moved to ''Cyanograucalus''.<ref name=jonsson2010>{{ cite journal | last1=Jønsson | first1=K.A. | last2=Bowie | first2=R.C.K. | last3=Nylander | first3=J.A.A. | last4=Christidis | first4=L. | last5=Norman | first5=J.A. | last6=Fjeldså | first6=J. | year=2010 | title=Biogeographical history of cuckoo-shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes): transoceanic colonization of Africa from Australo-Papua | journal=Journal of Biogeography | volume=37 | pages=1767-1781 | doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02328.x }}</ref><ref name=ioc/>

==Description==
Overall the cuckooshrikes are medium to small arboreal birds, generally long and slender. The smallest species is the [[small minivet]] at {{convert|16|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|6|-|12|g|oz|abbr=on}}, while the largest is the [[south Melanesian cuckooshrike]] at {{convert|35|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|180|g|lb|abbr=off}}.<ref>''National Geographic Complete Birds of the World'' by Jonathan Alderfer. National Geographic (2009), {{ISBN|978-1-4262-0403-6}}.</ref> They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although the minivets are brightly coloured in red, yellow and black, and the [[blue cuckooshrike]] of central [[Africa]] is all-over glossy blue. The four cuckooshrikes in the genus ''Campephaga'' exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males that have glossy black [[plumage]] and bright red or yellow wattles, the females having more subdued olive-green plumage.<ref name=EoB>{{cite book|editor=Forshaw, Joseph|author= Clancey, P.A.|year=1991|title=Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds|publisher= Merehurst Press|location=London|pages= 176|isbn= 1-85391-186-0}}</ref>

==Habitat==
Of the 93 species of cuckooshrike, the majority are forest birds. Some species are restricted to primary forest, like the [[New Caledonian cuckooshrike]], others are able to use more disturbed forest. Around eleven species use much more open [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]], one [[Australia]]n species, the [[ground cuckooshrike]] being found in open plains and scrubland with few trees.

==Behaviour==
[[File:Ground Cuckoo-shrike nest atkinsons dec03.jpg|thumb|Nesting [[ground cuckooshrike]]]]
The 'true' cuckooshrikes are usually found singly, in pairs, and in small family groups, whereas the minivets, flycatcher-shrikes and wood-shrikes more frequently form small flocks. There is a considerable amount of variation within the family as a whole with regards to calls, some call very infrequently and some, principally the minivets, are extremely vocal.

These are mainly [[Insectivore|insectivorous]], and will take large hairy [[caterpillar]]s. They have also been recorded eating small vertebrates, and some fruit, seeds and other plant matter.<ref name=EoB/>

Information about the breeding of this family is incomplete, with many species having never been studied. In all the species studied the cuckooshrikes are [[territory (animal)|territorial]]; in species that do not migrate these territories are maintained year-round. Cuckooshrikes are [[monogamy|monogamous]], with the pair bonds apparently lasting throughout the year. Only one instance of non-monogamous breeding has been recorded, an instance of polygyny in [[white-winged triller]]s in Australia, where one male aided two females in raising their young. Several species of cuckooshrike exhibit cooperative breeding. About four blotchy white, green or blue [[egg (biology)|eggs]] are laid in a cup nest in a tree. Incubation is about two weeks.

==List of genera==
{{Cladogram
|caption=Phylogeny of the genera<ref name=jonsson2010/><ref name=ioc/>
|align=right
|cladogram={{Cladex| style=font-size:80%;line-height:75%;width:300px;
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Pericrocotus]]'': minivets, 15 species
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Ceblepyris]]'': 5 species
|2=''[[Coracina]]'': 22 species
}}
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Campephaga]]'': 4 species
|2=''[[Lobotos]]'': 2 species
}}
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Campochaera]]'': Golden cuckooshrike
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Malindangia]]'': McGregor's cuckooshrike
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Edolisoma]]'': 22 species
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Celebesica]]'': Pygmy cuckooshrike
|2=''[[Cyanograucalus]]'': Blue cuckooshrike
}}
}}
|2=''[[Lalage (bird)|Lalage]]'': 19 species
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
The family contains 93 species divided in 11 genera:<ref name=ioc>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | year=2019 | title=Bristlehead, butcherbirds, woodswallows, ioras, cuckooshrikes, Shriketit | work=World Bird List Version 9.2 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/butcherbirds/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=20 August 2019 }}</ref>
* ''[[Pericrocotus]]'' – minivets (15 species)
* ''[[Ceblepyris]]'' – cuckooshrikes (5 species)
* ''[[Coracina]]'' – cuckooshrikes (22 species)
* ''[[Campephaga]]'' – cuckooshrikes (4 species)
* ''[[Lobotos]]'' – wattled cuckooshrikes (2 species)
* ''[[Campochaera]]'' – golden cuckooshrike
* ''[[Malindangia]]'' – McGregor's cuckooshrike
* ''[[Edolisoma]]'' – cuckooshrikes and cicadabirds (22 species)
* ''[[Celebesica]]'' – pygmy cuckooshrike
* ''[[Cyanograucalus]]'' – blue cuckooshrike
* ''[[Lalage (bird)|Lalage]]'' – trillers and cuckooshrikes (19 species)

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*del Hoyo. J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., (eds), ''Handbook of the Birds of the World'', Volume Ten, Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes, {{ISBN|84-87334-72-5}}

==External links==

*[http://ibc.lynxeds.com/family/cuckoo-shrikes-campephagidae Cuckooshrike videos] on the Internet Bird Collection

{{Taxonbar|from=Q732881}}

[[Category:Campephagidae|*]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Nicholas Aylward Vigors]]

Cuckooshrike - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 13:03, 31 August 2023