Their distribution is from Zululand northwards through southern Mozambique most of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Northern Namibia as well as the eastern region of the Northern Cape.
Magpie shrikes are very common residents that enjoy acacia savanna and bushveld where they form small groups of three to 12 birds and are rarely solitary.
Their flight is fast somewhat dipping, ending in an upward swoop to a perch on the top of trees or bushes.
They jerk their long tail while giving a sonorous piping ‘tlee-teeooo’ call, often with several birds calling in chorus.
Listen to these calls:
SOURCE www.africam.com
Magpie shrikes feed on insects and small reptiles.
Breeding takes place from October to March in Zululand. They lay three to five buff or yellowish eggs in a nest which is a bulky cup of twigs, grass stems and roots.
The incubation and nestling times are unrecorded but they are fed by four adults, two parents and two helpers.
Watch this short video of Magpie Shrikes in the Kruger national Park:
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