Senegalia nigrescens and whitecrowned shrike

The whitecrowned shrike or southern whitecrowned shrike, in Afrikaans kremetartlaksman and scientifically Eurocephalus anguitimens, perched here by some Senegalia nigrescens leaves trusts the thorns better than the camera and its owner.

The black mask below a white crown is distinctive; the sexes are alike. When peace is restored, it uses the lookout for spotting insects or berries, its normal diet. Often calling on take-off, it flies strongly, also walks on the ground. Small groups, pairs and single birds are seen. Usually peaceful, they do attack predators like birds of prey.

In South Africa these birds are only found in the north of the country, more widespread beyond the border. Living in dry, tropical and subtropical savanna and woodland it is often seen near baobab trees, hence the Afrikaans name; baobab being a kremetart or kremetartboom.

Two to five eggs are laid in a compact nest high up in a tree. The eggs are white or cream, spotted grey and brown. The young are fed by both parents, as well as by other adults of the species where these form part of the durable social group. Outside the breeding season the flocks may increase to about twenty (Maclean, 1993; Wikipedia).