Photo: C. G. Finch-Davies / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
White-tailed Shrike
Lanioturdus torquatus
White-tailed Shrike (Lanioturdus torquatus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The White-tailed Shrike (Lanioturdus torquatus) is a member of the Platysteiridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 29 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Platysteiridae Wattle-eyes, Batises
- Genus Lanioturdus
- Species torquatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 29 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-tailed Shrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The White-tailed Shrike is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-tailed Shrike (Lanioturdus torquatus) is a member of the Platysteiridae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Angola and c Namibia.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 29 g, with a wing length of about 8.5 cm and a tail of around 4.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 343,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-tailed Shrike?
The White-tailed Shrike is a small bird that weighs around 29 g.
Where does the White-tailed Shrike live?
The White-tailed Shrike is found across Africa with a range covering AF Angola and c Namibia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the White-tailed Shrike belong to?
The White-tailed Shrike (Lanioturdus torquatus) belongs to the Platysteiridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-tailed Shrike eat?
The White-tailed Shrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the White-tailed Shrike migrate?
The White-tailed Shrike is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-tailed Shrike endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the White-tailed Shrike make?
1 real field recording of the White-tailed Shrike can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-tailed Shrike's range?
The White-tailed Shrike has a mapped global range of about 343,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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