Northern White-crowned Shrike

Overview

The northern white-crowned shrike, also known as the white-rumped shrike (Eurocephalus ruppelli), is a passerine bird found in east Africa. It inhabits dry thornbush, semi-desert, and open acacia woodland regions ranging from southeastern South Sudan and southern Ethiopia down to Tanzania.

Identification

• A large and fluffy passerine measuring 19–23 cm in length with a weight of 42–58 g.
• Adults feature a white crown and rump, a distinct black eyestripe, brown back and wings, and a black tail; the underparts are white with brown flanks.
• Juveniles differ with a brown crown, white head sides, and a grey breast, while adult plumage varies extensively and may be monotypic across the range.
• Calls consist of high-pitched squawks, squeaks, and chatters such as kek-kek and chee-chee, and flight is notably parrot-like.

Habitat

This species occupies dry thornbush, semi-desert, and open acacia woodland environments. Its range extends from southeastern South Sudan and southern Ethiopia through to Tanzania, where it maintains a large distribution and a stable population.

Diet

It forages from exposed perches, feeding primarily on large insects usually taken from the ground. It also gleans food from the backs of large mammals, similar to an oxpecker, and occasionally consumes fruit that has fallen to the ground.

Did you know?

The bird often feeds by perching on the backs of large mammals to catch insects, a behaviour similar to that of an oxpecker. It is also gregarious and has been observed in groups of up to twelve birds, suggesting that cooperative breeding is likely given the habits of its close relatives.