| White-tailed shrike | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Platysteiridae |
| Genus: | Lanioturdus Waterhouse, 1838 |
| Species: | L. torquatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Lanioturdus torquatus Waterhouse, 1838 | |
Thewhite-tailed shrike (Lanioturdus torquatus) is a smallpasserine bird from the familyPlatysteiridae. It is also known as thechatshrike orground batis. It occurs only in westernAngola andNamibia in thorn scrub. It forages from ground level, where it hops about in large bounds and upright posture, to 25m above ground, scanning for insects. The very short tail, with a small black mark at the tip of the central two feathers, is always carried down, never sticking up. Its range of calls includes loud ringing territorial whistles.
This curious bird, which some consider to have close affinities with thebatises and others thebushshrikes, was discovered in 1837 byJames Edward Alexander in theNaukluft Mountains of Namibia. Waterhouse subsequently described it in 1838, the nameLanioturdus ('shrike-thrush') reflecting the uncertainty of its classification, andtorquatus denoting 'collared'. The sexes have a similar appearance.
It is a common, endemic, breeding resident in the region, small seasonal migrations taking place. Its favoured habitat is scrub-savanna, thornbush andmopane-veld. It is found singly or in pairs during the breeding season, and in small groups at other times. It is a clumsy flier with shallow and rapid wingbeats like other batises.
Nests are usually located in thornyacacias and are constructed by both sexes. Nests are deep, neat well-moulded cups incorporating spider-web and placed about 3 metres above ground. The usual clutch is 2-3 eggs pale-green to white with sparse reddish-brown spots. Only the female incubates the eggs.
