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The Southern White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus anguitimens) is a social, insect-eating bird of African savannas, known for its striking white crown and black mask, living in family groups that cooperatively raise young in neat cup nests, and hunting insects and small prey from conspicuous perches, often impaling them like other shrikes. They are monogamous, found in countries like Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, and have a distinctive, shrill call.
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Key Facts:
Appearance: Large-headed, bulky bird with a distinct white crown, black mask, ashy-brown back, and off-white underparts.
Habitat: Arid savannas, dry woodlands, and riverine forests in Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe).
Social Behavior: Lives in family groups (pairs plus 1-6 helpers) that cooperate in nesting and chick-rearing.
Diet: Primarily insects (caterpillars, beetles, ants) but also small vertebrates, hawking them from perches or hunting on the ground.
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Hunting: Perches high to watch for prey, often impaling surplus food on thorns or barbed wire.
Nesting: Builds a thick, cup-shaped nest of grass and spiderwebs in tree forks, with helpers assisting.
Reproduction: Lays 2-5 eggs, incubated for about 20 days; chicks fledge in around 3 weeks.
Vocalization: Known for a distinctive, shrill, plover-like call, "kleeew-keeuw".
Name: Called Kremetartlaksman in Afrikaans; Eurocephalus means "broad-headed" in Greek.