Grey headed bush shrike

Introduction: Grey-headed bush-shrikes (Malaconotus blanchoti) are named after a gentleman called P Blanchot, the French Governor of Senegal circa 1790. Woodlands and forest near permanent water bodies are the favoured Namibian habitat. Cautious by nature, they hop on the ground and among branches, singly or in pairs.

Distribution: Mainly in eastern Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) including Chobe/Zambezi River systems, Victoria Falls.

Diet: Eats earthworms, locusts, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, moths, caterpillars, wasps, bees and dragonflies. Also takes chameleons, lizards, geckos, snakes, bats, birds, eggs and nestlings.

Description: Large bush-shrike with distinctive large bill. The Greek word Malaconotus refers to their soft, fluffy back and rump feathers.

Breeding: Females lay 2 to 4 eggs between September and February and incubated for up to 3 weeks.

Size: 25cm.

Weight: 75cm.