The yellow-billed shrike is a large passerine bird in the shrike family. It is sometimes known as the long-tailed shrike, but this is to be discouraged, since it invites confusion with the long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach, of tropical southern Asia. The yellow-billed shrike is a common resident breeding bird in tropical Africa from Senegal eastwards to Uganda and locally in westernmost Kenya. It frequents forest and other habitats with trees.
Region
West and Central Tropical Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Senegal and The Gambia east through Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria to Cameroon and into western Uganda and locally westernmost Kenya. It favors open woodland, forest edges, gallery forest, wooded savanna, and cultivated areas with scattered trees. Common along roadsides, village fringes, and near clearings where exposed perches are available. Avoids dense closed-canopy rainforest and the most arid open desert.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A conspicuous West African shrike, it is easily recognized by its long, graduated tail and bright yellow bill. It is gregarious, often seen in noisy groups on exposed perches such as wires and treetops. The species frequently practices cooperative breeding, with helpers assisting a breeding pair. It often hunts by sallying to the ground from a perch to seize large insects.
With prey at University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides between perches
Social Behavior
Often forms small, noisy groups that perch conspicuously on exposed branches, poles, and wires. Breeding commonly involves cooperative groups with helpers assisting a dominant pair. Nests are placed in trees or tall shrubs, and territories are defended collectively.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are varied chatters, harsh scolds, and repeated rasping notes delivered from prominent perches. Vocalizations can become a lively chorus when groups interact or mob intruders.
Plumage
Dark brown upperparts with paler edges, heavily streaked whitish to buff underparts, and a very long, graduated tail. Wings are dusky with pale edging; overall appearance is streaked and earthy-toned.
Diet
Primarily feeds on large insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and termites. It also takes other arthropods and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards or frogs when available. Prey is typically spotted from a perch and seized on the ground or in low vegetation.
Preferred Environment
Forages along woodland edges, savanna with scattered trees, farmlands, and roadside verges where open ground alternates with perches. Frequently hunts from exposed lookouts such as wires, fence posts, and dead branches.
