Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - Gray-backed Fiscal Shrike

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
Gray-backed Fiscal Shrike
Page 29

Lanius exubitoroides

Length: 25 cm (10")

Status: Common

Habitat: Gray-backed fiscal shrike are found in acacia woodlands, bushed savannas and along the edges of riverine forests.

Food: Gray-backed fiscal shrikes eat large insects, rodents, small birds, lizards and small snakes. They behave much like small hawks sitting in trees waiting for their prey to appear below them before swooping down.

Social System/Behavior: Shrikes are medium-sized songbirds with weak feet. They are incapable of using their claws to kill as a falcon or hawk might. All true shrikes (family Laniidae) have strong, hooked beaks that are used to kill their prey. Most shrikes are black, white or gray in color. There are 25 species worldwide and 16 in Africa.

The gray-backed fiscal shrike is a cooperative breeder. Several of the chicks from the last brood assist in raising the newest arrivals. This assistance is not entirely selfless. There is always a chance one of the adults may die, opening up a space for one of the helpers. Even if this never happens, the helper birds are allowed to stay in their parent’s territory which benefits them too.

The main pair builds a compact nest of sticks in a thornbush or tree. There, the female lays two to four eggs.

They are very social birds and are often seen in groups.

Predators: Birds of prey, servals, snakes and monitor lizards are all potential predators.

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