Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Southern Fiscal
Find out more about this feathered Highway resident below.
THIS week, we feature the Southern Fiscal, a common and well-known bird that is also very territorial, so it is often spotted in the same area year-round.
Also read: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Cape Wagtail
Description
The Southern Fiscal is a distinctively black-and-white bird! The head, back and tail are black or very dark grey while the chest and underparts are white. It has a distinctive hooked beak. The Southern Fiscal male is a small- to medium-sized bird at 21cm in length and 40g in weight. The female is very similar but a bit duller and with small chestnut patches on the flanks. In our area, it can get confused with the Fiscal Flycatcher which has a distinctive pointed beak.
Distribution
It is found in all provinces of South Africa
Habitat
The Southern Fiscal is a very adaptable species and thrives in a wide range of habitats. It is most often found in woodlands and grasslands but also common in parks and gardens in urban areas.
Feeding
The Southern Fiscal feeds on a wide range of prey, including small insects, lizards, small snakes and a variety of small birds. Hunting is done mainly from a perch where it will sit motionless for long periods before pouncing on its prey.
Breeding
The Southern Fiscal is a monogamous species and pairs for life. The nest is built mainly by the female and is often situated in a small tree or shrub. The female does all the incubating and is provided with food by the male. Up to five eggs are laid, and they take approximately two weeks to hatch. Both adults take care of the young.
Predators and threats
This species is not under threat, and the population numbers appear to be steady.
Local information
You can find this bird in most of the open spaces in the Highway area. There is a resident pair at the Msinsi Grassland in Kloof which is an almost guaranteed sighting.
Interesting facts
The Southern Fiscal is also very commonly known as the Jackie Hangman or Butcher Bird because of its habit of impaling its prey on a barb in a barbed wire fence or on the thorns of a Vachellia Karoo Tree (formerly known as Acacia Karoo)
The Southern Fiscal is a highly territorial bird, and the males will very aggressively defend their territory. They will use their strong claws to grip their rivals before ripping them with their powerful hooked beak.
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