Magpie Shrike

Afrikaans name: Langstertlaksman

Magpie Shrike also known as the Long-tailed Shrike

Photo © Steven Herbert

Urolestes melanoleucus

The Magpie Shrike is often called the Long-tailed Shrike. It can be found in Kruger National Park and north of South Africa's borders.

Its preferred habitat is savanna and open woodland. It must have low areas to perch.

The Magpie Shrike feeds mainly off insects but it does eat a variety of other small foods.

Photo © Steven Herbert

A breeding pair of Magpie Shrikes is assisted by a couple of 'helpers'. These are normally juveniles from the previous brood.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	724	Urolestes melanoleucus melanoleucus
2nd	724	Urolestes melanoleucus
3rd	724	Urolestes melanoleucus
4th	724	Urolestes melanoleucus
5th	735	Corvinella melanoleuca
6th	735	Corvinella melanoleuca
7th	577	Urolestes melanoleucus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	724	Long-tailed Shrike
2nd	724	Long-tailed Shrike
3rd	724	Long-tailed Shrike
4th	724	Long-tailed Shrike
5th	735	Longtailed Shrike
6th	735	Longtailed Shrike
7th	577	Magpie Shrike

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	724	Langstert-laksman
2nd	724	Langstert-laksman
3rd	724	Langstert-laksman
4th	724	Langstert-laksman
5th	735	Langstertlaksman
6th	735	Langstertlaksman
7th	577	Langstertlaksman

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 168

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 41

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 307

Shrikes of Southern Africa - Author: Tony Harris and Graeme Arnott - Published: 0 - Page: 30

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 43

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 390

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 358

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 642

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 644

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 515

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 503

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 389

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 370

Newman s Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 370

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 188

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 224

Ian Sinclair s Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 278

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 73

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 192

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 231

Birds of Africa south of the Sahara - Author: Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan - Published: 2003 - Page: 578

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 47

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 103

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 253

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 47

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 270

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds