The southern fiscal or fiscal shrike is a member of the shrike family found through most of southern Africa. It is also sometimes named jackie hangman or butcher bird due to its habit of impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store the food for later consumption. It was previously lumped together with the northern fiscal. Together they were known as the common fiscal.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and southern Mozambique. Favors open habitats with scattered bushes and trees, including savanna, scrub, farmland, and suburban gardens. Readily uses fence lines and powerlines as hunting perches. Avoids dense forest and true desert interiors but occupies edges and clearings. Often common in human-modified landscapes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the fiscal shrike or jackie hangman, the southern fiscal is famous for impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire to cache food. It often hunts from conspicuous perches like fence posts and telephone wires. This species was formerly grouped with the northern fiscal but is now treated separately.
Temperament
bold and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, perch-to-perch flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs that maintain and defend territories year-round. Pairs build a neat cup nest in shrubs or small trees. They often maintain larders where prey is impaled for later consumption.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A varied mix of chatters, whistles, and harsh scolds, often delivered from an exposed perch. Includes mimicry of other birds and mechanical-sounding clicks. Calls are sharp and carrying, used frequently in territorial displays.
Plumage
Glossy black upperparts contrasting with white underparts and a long black tail with white edges; white scapulars form a bold 'V' across the back. Females can show a faint buff wash on flanks; juveniles are brownish and finely barred. Plumage is sleek with a strong, hooked shrike bill.
Diet
Primarily hunts large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Also takes small vertebrates including lizards, small rodents, and occasionally small birds. Prey is often impaled on thorns or barbed wire to subdue, store, and tear into manageable pieces. Hunts by sit-and-wait from a conspicuous perch.
Preferred Environment
Edges of open habitats, fencelines, hedgerows, and scattered thorn scrub where elevated perches are available. Common around farmland, ranchlands, and suburban gardens with open lawns and shrubs.
