Exploring the Southern White-crowned Shrike – Bird of the Week
There is no tribal name and in Afrikaans it's called ‘die Kremetartlaksman’.
THIS is a common bird found near endemic residences in Southern Mozambique, Limpopo, North West province and upper regions of the Northern Cape province.
Occurring solitary or in pairs and small groups of up to 12 birds. They perch conspicuously on top or outer branch of tree. The flight is strong and direct with shallow wing beats. Forages by watching from perch and dropping to ground for prey and then walk when on the ground.
LISTEN:
These shrikes like woodland and savanna often with baobab trees where they feed on insects and also berries. They call on take off with a loud somewhat nasal skwee – skwee, skwee – kwee – kwee often in chorus.
Breeding season is October to December, a small neat compact thick walled cup forms the nest. They line it with plant fibres and firmly bind it with spiders web to the horizontal branch or fork of a tree several metres up. Usually two to four white or cream eggs spotted with grey dots are laid.
The incubation and nestling period is unrecorded, the chicks are fed by both parents and up to three adult helpers. There is no tribal name and in Afrikaans it’s called ‘die Kremetartlaksman’.
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