Tuesday 23 February 2016

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY and GOOD FENCES - South Africa

This is a bird I photographed when my friends and I stopped for a picnic before reaching Kruger National Park, South Africa.   It is a Common Fiscal.


Common Fiscal

21–23 cm
A common black-and-white shrike of open country; often goes by the local name of ‘jackie hangman' from its habit of catching prey on thorn ‘larders'.   Resembles Fiscal Flycatcher, but tail is longer and is white-edged (not white in panels); bill heavier and stance more squat. In most races, female has chestnut flanks. Juv. is greyish brown, with fine dark bars on its head, back and flanks.


Voice: Harsh, grating call ‘dwrrr-wrrrr'; song is melodious and jumbled, often with harsher notes and mimicry of other birds.  


Common resident in most open habitats, including parks and gardens. Solitary or in pairs, in permanent territories; often hunts from 
roadside fences and telephone wires.


I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY and GOOD FENCES.

Many thanks for your visit and also to all those people who leave comments.

22 comments:

  1. nice shrike fellow and great fence sitter. :)

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  2. Hello Margaret!:) Beautiful bird,and image!

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  3. 21-23 cm is a good size-handsome bird;

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  4. Hello Margaret, great shots of the Common Fiscal. It does look a lot like our Shrike. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  5. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of this bird - he is a fine fellow!

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  6. Look at you whizzing around the world, Margaret, what is so impressive is that you never miss a beat blogging wise. I always get caught out with poor internet connections but you always manage to pull some gorgeous bird out of the hat to impress where ever you are! I love this cheeky looking fella!
    Have a lovely. lovely week :)
    Wren x

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  7. Cute little bird and nice photos!

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  8. Un très joli post avec de belles photos, j'aime beaucoup!

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  9. Margaret!
    Beautiful photos are yours !!!
    I love visiting your blog. With you is the wonderful atmosphere.
    Good night,Margaret:)

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  10. Striking colors with the blue background.

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  11. I remember not believing tha the hanging of prey t shrike behavior could be possible, until I saw the evidence! Yours is a pretty hand an!

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  12. Hangman... I saw my error as My comment was already on its way. I hate auto correct !

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  13. That's a great Shrike! I especially love the name....Fiscal!

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  14. This is a pretty bird.

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  15. Lovely birdie, Margaret. I wonder about his monetary policy?!?
    ~

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  16. Pretty bird. The tail feathers are quite fascinating and the b/w color stands out so well.

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