Northern Puffback in Kotu: Territorial Behaviour, Calls and Display

Observer: Lamin Jobaate
Observation period: August–October 2026
Location: Bushy areas of Kotu, including the mangroves, The Gambia
Species: Northern Puffback, also known as the Gambian Puffback
Habitat: Lowland forest, mangroves, moist savannah and gardens

Observations in Kotu

Between August and October 2026, I observed Northern Puffbacks in the bushy areas of Kotu, including the mangroves. The birds moved in pairs through the upper branches of trees, where I watched their movements, listened to their calls and recorded the male’s distinctive display.

The male is a striking black-and-white bird, with a glossy black head and wings contrasting with a pure white belly.

Territorial Behaviour

The male was frequently on the move, travelling between different parts of the surrounding vegetation. I initially heard his calls during the afternoon and evening, although he often remained high in the canopy and was difficult to see.

At times, he perched at the top of a tree and gave harsh calls. These appeared to announce his presence and may have served to advertise or defend his territory. He continued moving between calling locations before flying back towards the female.

The female was usually quiet, occasionally answering the male with softer notes. While feeding, she appeared more vigorous in her pursuit of insects among the branches.

Four Different Call Types

During the observation period, I distinguished four different call types from the male. These included a repeated “chap-chap” call, calls with pauses between notes, and one that reminded me of a young sunbird.

That sunbird-like call was particularly memorable. I had also been observing the territorial and breeding behaviour of Beautiful Sunbirds nearby, whose young had fledged. When I heard the sound above the tree where I was sitting, I initially thought it came from one of the young sunbirds.

Looking up, I discovered that the caller was a male Northern Puffback. This was a useful reminder of the importance of confirming a bird’s identity visually when an unfamiliar call resembles another species.

The Puffback Display

Towards the end of August, I observed the male performing the display that gives the puffback its name. He raised the long, silky white feathers over his lower back and rump, creating the appearance of a white, woolly ball.

It was a remarkable change in appearance as he moved among the branches.

A Possible Extended Breeding Period

The territorial activity observed over this period led me to consider whether Northern Puffbacks in Kotu might have an extended breeding season.

This remains a hypothesis. Territorial calls and display can suggest breeding-related activity, but these observations alone do not establish how long breeding continues. Further records of nest-building, active nests, adults feeding young and newly fledged birds would help test this idea.

If breeding does continue over an extended period, suitable habitat and a reliable supply of food would be important for raising young successfully.

Continuing the Observations

These encounters revealed a variety of calls, differences in the behaviour of the male and female, and the male’s distinctive puffed-feather display.

I will continue watching Northern Puffbacks around Kotu to learn more about their territorial behaviour and how it relates to their breeding activity.