Learn more about the grey go-away bird
The grey go-away bird's call is a long drawn out nasal kwe or kay - waaaay, hence its name go-away.Breeding takes place in all months.
A COMMON resident found in Zululand northwards including the North West province, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
They like bush veld, savanna, riverine woodland in arid country and gardens, especially in Gauteng. They are found in pairs or small groups. Up to 60 birds may be seen when they gather at water to drink. They roost in groups of three to five birds at night.
They are quick and agile in trees, bounding about from branch to branch and able to weave through matted creepers. The flight is laboured, but often sustained for several hundred metres.These go-aways like fruit, flowers, buds, leaves, insects, seeds and nesting birds.
They are highly vocal, especially when disturbed, raising and lowering their crest when alarmed. The call is a long drawn out nasal kwe or kay – waaaay, hence its name go-away.Breeding takes place in all months.
The nest is a scanty platform of sticks in the fork or crown of a tree from one and a half to 20 metres above the ground. Usually two to three pale bluish white eggs are laid. The incubation is 26 to 28 days and nestling period 14 to 21 days.
Feeding is by regurgitation by both parents and are able to fly in about 42 days. The former name was grey lourie, in isiZulu its umKlewu and Afrikaans die kwêvoël.
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