27-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - SOUTHERN MAGPIE SHRIKE (Urolestes melanoleucus ssp. melanoleucus)

The southern magpie shrike (Lanius melanoleucus), also known as the African long-tailed shrike, is a species of bird in the family Laniidae. It is native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa, where its natural habitats are dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It has a very wide range and is common in places, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

The southern magpie shrike is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It inhabits open savannah with scattered acacia trees, close-grazed turf and bare ground, in parts of southern and central Africa where precipitation mainly occurs between November and April. Arid areas are avoided but semi-arid areas may be favoured. It also occurs in woodland, particularly riparian areas, and in the Kruger National Park is found in river valleys with thorny mopane trees.

Appearance: A bulky black and white bird with scattered white patches on its shoulders and wings, and a very long, floppy tail. 

Tail: Both males and females have an extremely long tail. 

Flanks: Females have white flanks, while males have black flanks. 

Habitat: It inhabits open savannah with scattered acacia trees, as well as moist and dry shrublands and riparian areas in eastern and southeastern Africa. 

Diet: Primarily feeds on arthropods like ants, termites, and grasshoppers, but also eats small vertebrates like lizards and mice, and occasionally fruit. 

Behavior: It is a perch-and-wait predator, often sitting on low perches in grassy areas. It is also known to move into recently burned areas to forage. 

Vocalization: It has a distinctive, shrill, starling- or parrot-like call, often produced by more than one bird at once. 

This bird perches in an elevated position scanning the ground below for possible prey. Most prey is caught on the ground, but flying insects are sometimes caught in mid air. The diet consists of arthropods, insects, lizards, small mammals and fruit.

The southern magpie shrike is a gregarious species and usually occurs in noisy groups of about a dozen birds occupying a home range of several tens of hectares. It may associate with other birds such as the white-headed buffalo weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli). The birds nest cooperatively during the rainy season, and their breeding territory is about three hectares and defended from other groups. Displays in the breeding season include bowing, tail flicking, wing raising and whistling. The female sometimes calls from the nest and the male brings her food. The two birds may also perform duets.

16-4-2018 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, BOTSWANA - SOUTHERN MAGPIE SHRIKE (Urolestes melanoleucus ssp. melanoleucus) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Southern Magpie Shrike, also known as the African Long-tailed Shrike, is a striking bird belonging to the family Laniidae. It is characterized by its elongated tail and contrasting black and white plumage, reminiscent of the European magpie, though they are not closely related.

This species can be identified by its long tail, which is almost the length of its body, and its black and white coloration. The bird's back is predominantly black, with white underparts and a white patch on the wing. The head is black with a white belly and flanks, and the eyes are keen and alert.

The Magpie Shrike is native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa. It thrives in dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, preferring open areas with scattered acacia trees, close-grazed turf, and bare ground.

This bird is found across a range of African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It is common in places within this range.

The Magpie Shrike is a gregarious and social bird, often found in noisy groups of about a dozen. These groups occupy a home range of several tens of hectares. During the breeding season, they display a variety of behaviors such as bowing, tail flicking, wing raising, and whistling to communicate and establish bonds.