White-rumped Shrike
NameWhite-rumped Shrike
Common NameWhite-rumped Shrike
Scientific NameLanius excubitoroides
FamilyLaniidae
Wingspan (cm)27.5
Length (cm)21.5
Weight (g)35
Plumage DetailsAdults display a distinctive white crown and nape, contrasting sharply with a broad black mask that extends from the lores through the eye to the ear-coverts. The back and wings are grey, with white patches visible on the primaries during flight. The underparts are white, and the rump is also white. The tail is black with white outer feathers.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are varied, including harsh chattering calls, whistles, and sometimes mimicry of other bird species. It often produces a series of harsh, scolding notes.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, its range extends from Senegal in the west, east to Ethiopia, and south to Angola and northern South Africa.
Identifying Featureswhite crown, black eye-mask, grey back, white underparts, hooked bill
Description
This medium-sized shrike is characterized by its striking white crown, prominent black eye-mask, and grey back. It is a predatory bird, often perching conspicuously on elevated spots to scan for insects and small vertebrates, which it may impale on thorns or barbed wire.
