Magpie Shrike

Afrikaans name: Langstertlaksman

Magpie Shrike also known as the Long-tailed Shrike

Photo © Steven Herbert

Urolestes melanoleucus

The Magpie Shrike is often called the Long-tailed Shrike. It can be found in Kruger National Park and north of South Africa's borders.

Its preferred habitat is savanna and open woodland. It must have low areas to perch.

The Magpie Shrike feeds mainly off insects but it does eat a variety of other small foods.

Photo © Steven Herbert

A breeding pair of Magpie Shrikes is assisted by a couple of 'helpers'. These are normally juveniles from the previous brood.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 270

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 47

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 47

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 192

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 231

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 73

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 188

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 278

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 370

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 370

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 307

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 503

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 515

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 644

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 642

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 358

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 390

Shrikes of Southern Africa - Author: Tony Harris and Graeme Arnott - Year Published: - Page: 30

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 43

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1979 - Page: 41

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 168

List of South African Birds