Magpie Shrike Bird Facts (Urolestes melanoleucus)

The Magpie Shrike is a striking bird with a distinctive black and white plumage. Its long, graduated tail is particularly notable, often exceeding half the bird's total length. The body is primarily glossy black, with white patches on the shoulders, wings, and a greyish-white rump.

Males and females are similar, though females can be distinguished by large white patches on their flanks. Young birds are browner in colour with buff-tipped feathers, creating a more mottled appearance, and have shorter tails than adults.

The Magpie Shrike can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Magpie Shrike can be found in Savanna habitats.

The Magpie Shrike is found in southern and eastern Africa, ranging from Angola and Tanzania south to South Africa. It inhabits open savanna woodlands, thorn scrub, and lightly wooded grasslands.

These birds are year-round residents throughout their range, showing no significant seasonal movements. They are particularly common in areas with scattered acacia trees and bushes that provide suitable perching and nesting sites.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Magpie Shrike. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Angola Botswana Eswatini Kenya Mozambique Namibia South Africa Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Excellent manoeuvrability and precision demonstrated by their ability to catch agile prey like insects and small vertebrates. Their long tail aids in balance and aerial control, whilst their hunting style requires quick, accurate movements.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Moderate strength for their size, capable of subduing and impaling relatively large prey items on thorns. Their ability to handle prey like small rodents and lizards indicates decent physical power for a medium-sized bird.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Shows strong adaptability through their cooperative breeding system, successful colonisation of various habitats up to 1,800m elevation, and ability to thrive in both natural and modified environments with fence posts and barbed wire.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Notably aggressive hunters with typical shrike behaviour of impaling prey. Their territorial nature and predatory lifestyle, combined with their bold hunting tactics, reflects significant aggressive tendencies.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Whilst capable of sustained hunting activities and maintaining territories, their resident lifestyle and preference for perch-hunting suggests moderate rather than exceptional endurance. They rely more on strategic hunting than prolonged pursuit.

Magpie Shrikes are carnivorous, primarily feeding on large insects such as grasshoppers and beetles. They also prey on small vertebrates, including lizards, rodents, and occasionally small birds.

These shrikes often impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating 'larders' for later consumption.

Magpie Shrikes are often seen perched prominently on treetops or fence posts, scanning for prey. They are highly social birds, typically found in small family groups of 3-10 individuals.

These groups engage in cooperative breeding, with offspring from previous years helping to raise new chicks.

Magpie Shrikes have a variety of loud, harsh calls. Their repertoire includes a sharp, repeated 'chak-chak' alarm call and a more melodious 'kwe-kwe-kwe' contact call.

During territorial displays, they produce a series of grating screeches and whistles, often accompanied by tail-fanning.

Breeding occurs during the wet season, typically from September to March. Magpie Shrikes form monogamous pairs, often assisted by helpers from previous broods.

The nest is a large, sturdy cup made of twigs, grass, and rootlets lined with softer materials. It's usually placed high in a thorny tree or bush. The female lays 3-5 pale blue or greenish eggs with brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 18 days, primarily by the female. Nestlings are fed by both parents and helpers, fledging after approximately 19-20 days but remaining dependent on adults for several more weeks.

While the Magpie Shrike is currently listed as Least Concern, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and overgrazing poses a potential threat.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable savanna and woodland habitats within its range.

Look for their distinctive long tails and black-and-white plumage
Listen for their loud, harsh calls, which often reveal their presence
Observe fence lines and isolated trees in savanna habitats
Watch for their habit of perching conspicuously on high vantage points

Main predators include larger birds of prey such as eagles and hawks, as well as snakes that may raid nests for eggs and chicks.

Magpie Shrikes have exceptionally long tails, which can make up more than half their total length.
They practice cooperative breeding, with family members helping to raise young.
These birds create 'larders' by impaling prey on thorns for later consumption.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Magpie Shrike

References