Magpie Shrike

Urolestes melanoleucus

A skilled hunter with distinct black-and-white plumage, this long-tailed shrike is found across Africa's savannahs as it perches on tall branches scanning for prey.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

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.

Size

Length

34.5cm to 50cm

Wingspan

40cm to 45cm

Weight

55g to 97g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Magpie Shrike can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Magpie Shrike is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Magpie Shrike can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,800 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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