Souza's shrike is a species of passerine bird in the family Laniidae, the shrikes. It is thought to be a mainly sedentary species that is found in miombo woodland in southern central Africa. It was named after Portuguese zoologist José Augusto de Sousa.
Region
South-central Africa
Typical Environment
Typically inhabits miombo woodland and woodland edges with scattered trees and open understory. It also uses lightly wooded savannas, fallows, and clearings with thorny shrubs for hunting perches. The species favors areas with a mosaic of open ground and low to mid-height trees. It is largely sedentary within this habitat, moving locally in response to food availability.
Altitude Range
600–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Souza's shrike is a miombo-woodland specialist of south-central Africa and is generally sedentary. Like other shrikes, it hunts from prominent perches and may impale prey on thorns for later feeding. It can be overlooked due to its quiet demeanor and resemblance to other shrikes. The species was named after Portuguese zoologist José Augusto de Sousa.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs that defend well-defined territories. Breeding pairs build cup nests in shrubs or small trees and both sexes may participate in provisioning. Courtship includes perch displays and short chases.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, varied series of whistles and chatters, often delivered from a mid-level perch. Calls include harsh scolds and rattles typical of shrikes, with occasional mimicry of other birds.
Plumage
Clean, fairly plain shrike with pale grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, contrasted by a dark facial mask and white in the wings. Tail is dark with pale edges and appears somewhat graduated.
Diet
Feeds mainly on large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, supplemented by spiders and other arthropods. Will take small lizards or other small vertebrates opportunistically. Often impales prey on sharp twigs or thorns for storage.
Preferred Environment
Hunts from exposed perches along woodland edges, clearings, and open patches within miombo. Drops to the ground or sallies to vegetation to seize prey, then returns to a perch to consume it.
