Boldly patterned black-and-red bushshrike with a yellow crown and pale eyes. The duller immature has orange underparts and a gray crown. Found in papyrus swamps, where it skulks with great skill. The male gives ringing “chonk” or “chuwee” notes, often in rapid-fire or up-and-down series. The female gives a low ratcheting call which is sometimes given in a duet alongside the male’s vocalizations. Similar to Black-headed Gonolek, but has a yellow crown and a white wingbar.