Bokmakierie Shrike {Telophorus zeylonus}

The Bokmakierie is a brilliant yellow, green and grey shrike. The bill is shortish, strong, with a sharp hook at the end of the upper mandible. The legs and feet are blue/grey.

The Bokmakierie has brilliant yellow underparts with a broad black collar separating the throat from the breast.

The Bokmakierie has a grey head and thin yellow eyebrow. The back and wings are olive green.

The name, Bokmakierie, comes from its melodious call notes, often uttered in duet, from the top of a bush or tree.

Quick Facts

Name:
Telophorus zeylonus

Habitat:
Open habitats, including highveld koppies, karoo, fynbos and semi-desert scrub. Also found in parks and gardens in towns and cities, usually in pairs.

Distribution:
Endemic to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Diet:
Insects, small lizards, snakes, birds, frogs.

Reproduction:
The nest is a bulky bowl of twigs, stems and roots. It is placed in a dense hedge, bush or fork of leafy tree.