This is not a pleasant story… This story has some pretty terrible things in it, from names like “The Butcher” and “Hangman”, to being skewered alive, be-headings and mutilation, so one would easily be forgiven for thinking it was something along the lines of Jack the Ripper. But this isn’t London, and it’s not 1888. It’s South Africa, the bushveld, and it’s 2017, and this story has been running since the beginning of time! Unlike the serial killer who plagued the streets of London late in the 19th century, we know who this culprit is, and out here we see his handywork often! Meet our culprit- the Common Fiscal (Shrike).
While a handsome bird, his scientific name alludes to the fact that there is something sinister about this feathered fella. Lanius collaris, derived from the Latin word for “butcher”, implies a history early ornithologists became well aware of, and as time has run it’s course, a few more nick-names have been labelled to this bird. Jacky Hangman, or the Butcher Bird are some of the more common ones today, and for good reason.
Just outside my cabin I had heard the calls of this bird, and after days of consistent calling, it became apparent that there were 2 juvenile shrikes hopping around on the branches of a thick currant bush about 4 meters from my door. Armed with a camera I went to investigate, and saw the gruesome scene unfolding. This father was feeding his 2 young fledglings. Now, any good dad would do what he could to provide for his offspring, but this guy was making sure he pulled out all the stops!
Shrikes are well known for the brutal and somewhat greedy method of gathering, and storing food. Perched on a branch, they will sit and wait, until something catches their eye, when they will swoop down and grab their prey (anything from a small beetle or insect, up to other birds, the size of a dove!), and either kill and eat it there and then, or return to a prominent perching point, and skewer their quarry to a sharp branch or thorn (hence the nick-name “Jacky Hangman”).
As you will see from the images below, this dad had done just that. The poor mouse probably never even knew the bird was watching him, but watching he was, and when the moment was right, he struck. Taking his new prize up into the tree, he skewered it onto a sharp branch, and proceeded to pull it apart and feed his youngsters.
Eventually, the Butcher Bird decapitated the poor mouse, and gave the head to one of the chicks to feed on.
A proud father, doing a good job of providing for the next generation.
So next time you are out and about and see one of these birds, just remember, they’re not as innocent as they look!
This whole blog was done by my talented brother and is available on his page http://www.rollingwithnolan.com/
The bird looks cute!
And looks can be deceiving :)
I love the bird pic
Thanks @adamj8
Wonderful read. Bird-watching is one of my passions, and as a brand new member to steemit, I was thrilled to find, and open one of my first read posts ever. Looking forward to seeing more.
Welcome to Steemit. I'm reasonably new myself so still learning all the tricks of the trade.
Thanks and keep well
Greetings from India !!
There's a lot of shrike species here as well ! i will soon put out pictures of them ! good read. glad to find more bird watching enthusiasts on steemit !
Great to hear. Would be great to see them soon. Keep well @udayan
nature is only beautiful no other word suits it
Ah I agree with you wholeheartedly!! From the tiniest to greatest beasts it all intrigues me. Love it
LOL
It's your photos. I like them
They're my brothers. @rollingwithnolan is brilliant at photography. Go check him out, some great stuff.
Thanks though
oh god I never imagined such an outcome
I know right! Who would have thought such a pretty little bird was so...how do you put it, violent? Funny thing is though, we know it isn't for sport or the like, so I'm ok with it
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Wow that last picture really makes it look like a bird of prey, it looks so sinister! I was not aware a bird of such size could hunt mice, let alone skewer them onto thorn bushes!
My most recent post features a Pileated Woodpecker! We seem to have birds in common as interests, so we should Follow each other :D
10/10 amazing blog post, very well written, great photographs.
Thank you. I was also really surprised at the little bird doing that sort of damage to the mouse. I would love to see your post...will look at it now
새들이 아주 자세하게 나왔네요.
반갑습니다. 잘 보았어 여.
고맙습니다. 그들은 아름답고 평소와 마찬가지로 매우 효과적입니다
Damn. They are amazing photos. All the movement and beauty of the nature are really shown in your shots. Keep it up, I would love to see more post coming from you. Followed.
I am an architecture student and a part time graphic design. I do design on world famous landscape and buildings.
If you have any free time, please do visit my post too.
https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@ronluilh/hi-steemit-i-am-a-graphic-designer
Hi there, thank you. I will definitely check out your post...look for my comments there....keep well
Beast.... for sure
Haha! That was my thoughts too. Who would have thought