Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Laniidae
A shrike is a passerine bird of the family Laniidae known for catching insects, small birds, or mammals, and impaling their bodies on thorns. This helps them tear the flesh into small, convenient fragments, and serves as a "larder" so that the shrike can return to feed later. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey, reflecting its predatory nature. There are 32 species worldwide, six in Southern Africa.
- Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
- Souza's Shrike Lanius souzae
- Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
- Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
- Magpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca
- Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens
Read more about this topic: List Of Southern African Birds