The Grey Go-away Bird (Corythaixoides concolor) is a distinctive and charismatic member of the turaco family, native to the savannas and woodlands of southern Africa. Known for its unmistakable call that sounds like a sharp “go away,” this bird is easily recognizable both by sound and sight. Often seen perched in small groups, the Grey Go-away Bird has become a familiar presence in its natural range, as well as in suburban gardens and parks. Its subtle grey plumage, unique crest, and intriguing behaviors make it a favorite subject for birdwatchers, naturalists, and wildlife photographers alike.
Scientific Classification
The Grey Go-away Bird belongs to the family Musophagidae, commonly known as turacos, which are known for their vibrant colors and unique toe arrangement. Its scientific name is Corythaixoides concolor. The genus Corythaixoides comprises several species of go-away birds and louries, all characterized by their loud calls and arboreal habits. The species name concolor refers to its uniform grey plumage, distinguishing it from other more colorful turacos.
Turacos are part of the order Musophagiformes, a small group of birds endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike many other birds, turacos have a semi-zygodactylous foot structure, which means one of their outer toes can swivel to the back, aiding in climbing through dense foliage. The Grey Go-away Bird shares many of the family’s behavioral traits, such as frugivory and a preference for woodland habitats, but is unique in its muted grey coloration and distinctive vocalizations.
Geographic Range & Distribution
The Grey Go-away Bird inhabits a broad swath of southern and southeastern Africa. Its range extends across countries including Angola, Zambia, the southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), Malawi, and southeastern Tanzania. It also occurs in Namibia, northeastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and northeastern South Africa. This distribution reflects its preference for dry, open savanna woodlands and woodland edges, where trees and shrubs are interspersed with open grassland.
Within its range, the Grey Go-away Bird is highly adaptable and can also be found in human-modified environments such as parks, suburban gardens, and farms, especially those near water sources. Its ability to thrive in these semi-urban habitats has contributed to its widespread presence across a variety of landscapes. The bird favors areas with scattered acacia trees, mopane woodlands, and other dry woodland types, where it can forage and nest with relative safety from predators.
Physical Description
The Grey Go-away Bird is a medium-sized bird, measuring approximately 40 to 45 centimeters (16 to 18 inches) in length, with a wingspan ranging from 50 to 60 centimeters (20 to 24 inches). It typically weighs between 180 and 300 grams (6.3 to 10.6 ounces). Its plumage is a uniform pale to medium grey, which provides excellent camouflage among the branches and bark of the savanna woodlands it frequents.
One of its most striking features is the prominent crest on its head, composed of elongated feathers that can be raised or lowered depending on the bird’s mood or level of excitement. When raised, the crest adds to the bird’s distinctive silhouette. The Grey Go-away Bird has a black, slightly curved beak and a bright pink gape (the area inside the mouth), which is often visible when the bird calls or yawns.
Its eyes are dark, framed by subtle facial markings that blend seamlessly with its overall grey coloration. The tail is long and graduated, aiding in balance and maneuverability through trees. Although the Grey Go-away Bird is considered a somewhat clumsy flier, it is remarkably agile when navigating through dense tree crowns and branches, using short bursts of flight interspersed with gliding and hopping movements.
Behavior & Diet
The Grey Go-away Bird is primarily arboreal and diurnal, spending most of its time perched high in the tree canopy or moving cautiously through branches. It is often observed in small groups or family units, which provide safety in numbers and facilitate social communication. The species is well-known for its loud, harsh call that sounds like “kay-waaay” or “quare,” which resembles the phrase “go away,” giving the bird its common name.
This vocalization serves as an alarm call, warning other birds and animals of potential danger, particularly the approach of humans or predators. The call is harsh and far-carrying, often repeated several times in succession. Grey Go-away Birds are generally shy and alert, quickly retreating deeper into the foliage at the first sign of threat.
Diet-wise, the Grey Go-away Bird is primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits such as wild figs, berries, and the fleshy parts of flowers and buds. It also supplements its diet with leaves, flowers, and occasionally invertebrates like termites and snails. This varied diet allows it to adapt to seasonal changes in food availability. Foraging is usually done quietly and deliberately, with birds moving slowly from branch to branch, plucking food items with their beaks. According to eBird, this species is well documented.
Breeding & Reproduction
The breeding season of the Grey Go-away Bird varies depending on its location but is generally aligned with the onset of the rainy season, when food resources are most abundant. During this time, pairs become territorial and engage in courtship displays that include mutual preening, vocalizations, and crest-raising to signal interest and readiness to mate. According to BirdLife International, this species is well documented.
Grey Go-away Birds build relatively simple nests, usually constructed from twigs and leaves, placed high in the forks of trees or dense shrubs. The nests are often well concealed to protect against predators. Females typically lay between two and three eggs per clutch. The eggs are pale blue or greenish and slightly speckled.
Both parents share incubation duties, which last approximately 20 to 22 days. After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for several weeks, where they are fed regurgitated fruit and insects by the adults. Fledging occurs around four to five weeks after hatching, but the juvenile birds may remain with their parents for some time as they learn to forage and navigate their environment. The cooperative nature of these family groups helps increase the survival chances of the young.
Conservation Status
The Grey Go-away Bird is currently classified as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflecting its wide distribution and stable population trends. It faces relatively few significant threats compared to many other bird species in Africa. Its adaptability to a range of habitats, including human-altered landscapes, contributes to its resilience.
However, localized threats such as habitat destruction due to agriculture, urbanization, and deforestation could impact certain populations. Additionally, occasional trapping for the pet trade has been reported but is not considered a major threat on a species-wide scale. Conservation efforts that maintain healthy woodland habitats and promote sustainable land use practices help ensure the ongoing survival of the Grey Go-away Bird.
Interesting Facts
The Grey Go-away Bird’s name is one of the most intriguing aspects of its natural history. Its loud, repetitive call has been interpreted by local people as a warning to “go away,” which is both a practical alert to danger and a fascinating example of how human perception shapes common names of wildlife. The bird’s vocalizations play a key role in the ecosystem by alerting other animals to the presence of predators, serving as an informal early warning system.
Unlike many turacos, which are celebrated for their bright green and red pigments, the Grey Go-away Bird is relatively plain in color but no less interesting. Its muted tones provide excellent camouflage, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the dry woodlands it inhabits. This contrasts with the flamboyant plumage of its relatives, demonstrating the diversity within the turaco family.
Another notable feature is the bird’s semi-zygodactylous feet, which allow it to grasp branches firmly and move adeptly through tree canopies. This toe arrangement is unique to turacos and enhances their ability to forage and evade predators in arboreal environments. Despite being considered a clumsy flier, the Grey Go-away Bird’s agility in trees is impressive and critical to its survival.
Finally, the species’ presence in suburban gardens and parks has made it a familiar and welcome sight for many people living within its range. Its calls often serve as a reminder of the wild nature still thriving close to human settlements, highlighting the importance of coexistence and habitat preservation.
In summary, the Grey Go-away Bird (Corythaixoides concolor) is a remarkable example of Africa’s rich avian diversity. Its distinctive call, adaptable nature, and intriguing behaviors make it a fascinating subject for study and observation. As an important part of the ecosystem, this bird continues to captivate those who take the time to listen and look closely within the woodlands and savannas of southern Africa.
