Scientific name:
Campephadidae

Natural spread:
Asia, Africa

in the family Stachelbürzler is summarized approximately 70 old-terrestrial bird-types, whose main-spread-area stretches from the Malay area over the Pacific island-groups as far as after Australia. Essentially more thinly, the tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa and Madagascar were populated; in addition, a type (Graumennigvogel, Pericrocotus divaricatus) advanced until East-Siberia and Japan. From here, it moves to southeast (Philippines) in the winter while all other types behave as stand-birds or roam within restricted areas.

Characteristics The name of the Stachelbürzler is to be led back on an odd formation of the rear-back and Bürzelgefieders; the feather-shaft strong at the basis still tapers very strongly to the top and acts as a thorn. However, the Mennigvögeln (type Pericrocotus), that deviate also in further characteristics and are therefore compared with the other types, the caterpillar-gluttons (type-group Campephaginae), as own type-group, lack this formation.

A Geschlechtsdimorphismus is distinctive in both type-groups: While the 15-35 cm are colored big caterpillar-gluttons gray, black or tan at the upper side and at most white drawings show, the plumage of the Mennigvögel (17-18 cm of height) shines sincerely red, yellow, orange and black. The plumage-coloring of the females is weaker and more colorless.

Way of life The Stachelbürzler are tree-inhabitants and, to therefore find in dense forests, at forest-edges and in plantations. With its powerful, easily bent one and at the top hakig downward bent beak, that is widened considerably at the basis, consumes it caterpillars preferably, that absammeln it in the foliage. While most types don't leave the treetops, comes others also on the ground or pursues even flying insects. They particularly dickschnäbligen caterpillar-catchers or Raupendohlen (type Coracina) look like the stranglers through its black face-pack.

Most types are sociably alive. Particularly the Mennigvögel are to often be found in big swarms and offer a colorful picture, if they buzz from tree to tree. The big, gray caterpillar-catchers remind of our cuckoo not only through its undulating flight; a type, the strip-caterpillar-catcher (Coracina lineata) from Australia and New Guinea, roved jay-nicely moreover on the stomach-side.

Brood The Nistverhalten of the Stachelbürzler shows few deviations. The bowl-shaped nest from moss, lichens and roots is built in a branch-fork and contains 2-5 eggs.