Southern fiscal

The southern fiscal, also known as the common fiscal, fiscal shrike, jackie hangman, or butcher bird, is a captivating member of the shrike family found in Sub-Saharan Africa. One of its most intriguing behaviors involves impaling its prey on acacia thorns for later consumption.

This bird was first described by French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson in 1760. In 1766, Carl Linnaeus assigned it the scientific name Lanius collaris. Today, five recognized subspecies of the southern fiscal exist.

Visually, the southern fiscal is quite striking. It features black upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive white "V" on its back. Its long black tail has white outer feathers, and the bird sports a black bill, eyes, and legs. In terms of communication, this bird exhibits an array of calls, including alarm calls and songs used to mark territory or bond with a mate.

The southern fiscal inhabits a variety of environments, from grasslands to acacia thornveld. However, it tends to avoid densely vegetated areas that hinder hunting. As a solitary hunter, it preys on insects and small rodents, often from exposed perches or shrubs. The size of its territory is contingent upon the availability of suitable hunting perches. In eastern Africa, it is recognized as a significant predator of the plain tiger butterfly.