Grey Go-away-bird

The Grey Go-away-bird is a distinctive, entirely pale grey bird with a tall, upright crest, closely related to the turacos within the family Musophagidae. It has a slender build, long tail, and a bill that is grey with a dark tip.

Unlike its colorful turaco relatives, the Grey Go-away-bird is almost uniformly ashy grey overall, though the flight feathers can show a slightly darker tone in flight.

Key field marks

• Uniform pale grey plumage overall
• Prominent tall, pointed crest, often held erect
• Long tail and slender silhouette
• Distinctive nasal, drawn-out call resembling "go-away" or "g'way"

Similar species

Its plain grey coloring and prominent crest make it fairly unmistakable within its range; no other bird in southern African savanna combines this coloring, crest shape, and call. The related Bare-faced Go-away-bird of more northerly regions has a similar shape but different coloring and a black facial patch, and ranges do not typically overlap.

Habitat and range

This species is widespread in savanna woodland, thornveld, and riverine bush across southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Migration

It is non-migratory and resident year-round, though it may move locally in response to fruiting trees and water availability.

Behavior

Grey Go-away-birds are usually seen in pairs or small family groups, moving through trees with a combination of hopping and gliding flight. They are wary and vocal, often the first to give alarm calls when predators are spotted, earning attention from other animals in the bush.

Voice

The call is a loud, nasal, far-carrying "kweh" or "go-away," repeated frequently and easily recognized even by visitors unfamiliar with the species.

Feeding

They feed mainly on fruit, buds, flowers, and leaves gathered while moving through tree canopies, occasionally taking insects.

Nesting and breeding

A flimsy stick platform nest is built in a tree, typically holding 2–3 eggs, with both parents assisting in incubation and chick-rearing.