Southern Fiscal

Overview

The southern fiscal, also known as the fiscal shrike, is a member of the shrike family found throughout most of southern Africa. It is a fairly distinctive passerine that was previously lumped with the northern fiscal under the common name common fiscal.

Identification

• A 21–23-cm long bird with white underparts and black upperparts extending from the top of the head to the tail.
• Features a characteristic white "V" on the back and a relatively long black tail with white outer feathers and white tips on the other feathers.
• The bill, eyes, and legs are black, with adult females showing a rufous lower flank.
• Calls include jumbled shrike-like swizzling sounds, imitations, and a harsh Dzzzttt-dzzzt-dzzzt alarm call, alongside a surprisingly sweet but quiet territorial song.

Habitat

The species inhabits a wide range of environments, including grassland with fences for perching, acacia thornveld, and woodland, though it avoids very dense habitats that would impair its hunting. Its range covers most of southern Africa, with specific subspecies occupying areas from the Namib Desert in Angola and Namibia to Tanzania, Malawi, and parts of Mozambique and South Africa.

Diet

The southern fiscal hunts insects and small rodents from exposed perches or the tops of shrubs, often impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store food for later consumption. Hunting methods adjust seasonally, with increased attack rates and larger prey capture in winter compared to the extended daylight hunting of summer.

Did you know?

The bird is sometimes named jackie hangman or butcher bird due to its habit of impaling prey on acacia thorns to store the food for later consumption.