Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri Scientific name definitions

17–19 cm; male 45–46 g, unsexed 34–46 g. Has forehead, crown, nape and central hindneck dull golden-yellow ; lores, areas just above and below eye, ear-coverts, side of neck, and upperparts , including tail and most of upperwing black, slightly glossy; rump feathers full, soft and fluffy, with whitish tips and concealed white subterminal spots; median upperwing-coverts white with black bases, greater coverts black, innermost ones with white margin along outer web; chin and throat red with orange tinge; breast, belly and most of flanks bright pinkish-red, rear flanks black, thighs, vent and undertail-coverts dingy white; underwing-coverts black; iris pale lemon-yellow; bill black, mouth black; legs slate-black. Differs from L. barbarus in having white in wing, much less deep-based and robust bill, much more slender tarsus and toes, and longer and less strongly decurved claws. Sexes alike. Immature differs from adult in having forehead and crown blackish-olive, becoming black on hindneck, white spots in upperwing-coverts may include greater primary coverts, chin and throat yellowish-buff, merging to buffy pale rufous-vermilion on breast and flanks, rear flanks dusky blackish, eyes greyish-brown.

Uganda (mainly W & S), Rwanda, Burundi, extreme E DRCongo (Vichumbi, Rutshuru), NW Tanzania, and SW Kenya (shores of L Victoria SE to Kisumu, Yala Swamp and Kendu Bay).

Confined to papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) swamps and beds, mainly the interior of large ones, beside meandering rivers and along lakeshores; inhabits pure stands of papyrus, papyrus-grass (Miscanthus), papyrus mixed with woody shrubs, and mosaics of floating prairie-papyrus. Mainly in lowlands and to 1600 m, but up to 2050 m.

Resident.

Mainly small insects, such as myrmecine ants, beetles (including families Curculionidae, Carabidae, Elateridae and Staphylinidae), flies (Diptera), bees and wasps (Hymenoptera), caterpillars; also small snails (Gastropoda) and fruits. Singly and in pairs. Skulks in dense vegetation, occasionally making short flights over open water. Forages at all levels in papyrus, and sometimes in emergent woody shrubs; seen also at edges and along raised swamp roads.

Calls or sings in duet, a double, hollow, gong-like "pyo-pyop" given alone or answered with grating "zeetu" or buzzy "tzrrrr"; duet commonly of two or three high-pitched whistles, "weyo-weyo, u-u, yo-yo yoo-yo" or "yoo yong-yong", followed instantly by presumed female's single or double, harsh "u-tzeu, u-tzeu"; sometimes four-syllable "pyo-pyo-pyo-pyo" answered by similar but faster call , and "peetoo-peetoo" answered by identical call; also "tyo-wzzz" and rhythmic series of "wi-onk" or "chonk" notes with female's antiphonal harsh "chh-t-chh" notes.

Very few data. Eggs in Jun, Sept–Dec (mainly Sept) and Feb in Kenya; sings Feb–Mar. Doubtless territorial; once seen to chase L. erythrogaster at edge of papyrus swamp. Nests found but not described. No other information.

Not globally threatened. Currently considered Near-threatened. Recent population estimate of c. 2,000,000 adults. Thought to be potentially at risk owing to its specialized, restricted habitat. Locally common in Uganda at 1100–1600 m; widespread in S & W Lango and L Kyogo to Ankole and Kigezi, shores of L Victoria from Masaka to Kenya border. Widespread and locally abundant in E Rwanda and E Burundi; in NW Tanzania, occurs in middle Akagera basin and along R Ruvubu and in Malagarazi basin (on Burundi border) to c. 4° S. Locally common in Kenya, where seven individuals mist-netted (two singing) in 15 months in 1-ha plot at Kadenge. Estimated density of 6–10 birds/ha at site in Kenya; in Uganda, 13 birds/ha in centre of undisturbed swamp but less than 1 bird/ha in polluted and degraded swamps. Abundance directly related with height and density of papyrus, with numbers larger in taller and denser stands. Even though not immediately at risk, this species requires monitoring. Many papyrus marshes on shores of L Victoria are suffering from adverse effects of increasing human population, intensification of fishing and agriculture, burning, papyrus-harvesting, cattle grazing, goat browsing, pollution and falling water levels (level in L Victoria has fallen by c. 1 m in last decade); to what extent such changes are being monitored and management policies implemented is uncertain.