Papyrus gonolek facts for kids
The papyrus gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri) is a colorful bird that lives in Africa. It's part of the Malaconotidae family, which includes many types of bush-shrikes. You can find this special bird in countries like Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This bird loves to live in very specific places: papyrus swamps. These are wetlands filled with tall papyrus plants. Even though it's not yet considered a threatened species, its home is shrinking because of habitat loss and pollution. This makes it a bird that needs our attention!
Quick facts for kids Papyrus gonolek |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Malaconotidae |
| Genus: | Laniarius |
| Species: |
L. mufumbiri
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| Binomial name | |
| Laniarius mufumbiri Ogilvie-Grant, 1911
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Contents
What Does the Papyrus Gonolek Look Like?
The papyrus gonolek is a medium-sized bird, about 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. Both male and female birds look very similar.
Its head has a dull yellow top, while the rest of its head, back, wings, and tail are black. A wide white stripe runs across its wings, making them stand out. The bird's chest and upper belly are a bright orange-red color. Its lower belly is a lighter whitish color.
Where Does the Papyrus Gonolek Live and What Does it Do?
This bird is quite shy and hard to spot. It usually lives alone or in pairs within thick papyrus swamps. It likes to hide among the plants and doesn't fly very often. When it does fly, it's usually just a short distance over the water to another patch of papyrus.
You might hear a papyrus gonolek before you see one! Its calls are short whistles and rough, tearing sounds. Some people describe its call as "U-tzeu-U-tzee." Sometimes, two birds will sing together in a duet.
What Does it Eat?
The papyrus gonolek mainly eats insects. This includes beetles, flyes, and ants. If it can find them, it will also eat snails, fruit, and seeds.
Reproduction
We don't know much about how these birds raise their young. Scientists believe they probably build their nests in small bushes found in the reedbeds of the swamps.
Is the Papyrus Gonolek in Danger?
The papyrus gonolek needs a very specific home: swampy areas near rivers and lake shores. This makes it vulnerable to certain threats. For example, if wetlands are drained for farming, or if they get polluted by chemicals from farms, the bird loses its home. Fires can also destroy its habitat.
Even with these threats, there are still many papyrus gonoleks. Experts estimate there might be around two million adult birds. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed its conservation status as "near threatened." This means it's not in immediate danger, but its population needs to be watched carefully.
 | Mary Eliza Mahoney |
 | Susie King Taylor |
 | Ida Gray |
 | Eliza Ann Grier |
