Especially when disturbed, they make their presence known by their characteristically loud and nasal "kweh" or "go-way" calls,[4] with the last syllable typically a descending drawl.

[5] Within their range, their unique combination of colour, appearance and habits precludes confusion with other bird species.

The grey go-away-bird was formally described in 1833 by the Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith from specimens collected inland from Port Natal (now Durban) in South Africa.

[8] The grey go-away-bird is now placed in the genus Crinifer that was introduced by the Polish zoologist Feliks Paweł Jarocki in 1821.

It occupies any arid to moist, and relatively open savanna woodlands, especially where Acacia trees are present.

Its diet is mainly fruit (such as wild figs and berries), flowers, buds, leaves, termites, and snails.

Fruit are obtained from plants in the genera Ficus, Viscum, Loranthus, Diospyros, Lannea, Ziziphus, Salvadora[12] and Flueggea, among others.