The brubru (Nilaus afer) is a species of bushshrike (family Malaconotidae) found in most of Sub-Saharan Africa.
The male of the most distinctive of the other subspecies, N. a. nigritemporalis, occurring in the central belt across Africa, has no supercilium and a white, not buff, shoulder patch.
Other subspecies differ in the extent of the supercilium and rufous flanks, and the shade and degree of streaking of the underparts.
The brubru is usually solitary or found in pairs; it is a restless but unobtrusive arboreal species which hunts insects in the canopy.
The flimsy cup nest is constructed from twigs, grass and spider webs in a tree fork, and decorated with lichens.