Kruger National Park
Limpopo · Best Apr to Sep
41 places
Go Birdingfrom Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Magpie Shrike
Urolestes melanoleucus
The magpie shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus), also known as the African long-tailed shrike, is a species of bird in the Laniidae family.
Species insights
When to visit
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Best monthsAny month
Records1,527 records
Curve from 1,527 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Where you'll find it
Mpumalanga and beyond
Provinces where Magpie Shrike is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
1,527 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Magpie Shrike
Stays that give back
Across South Africa
Baobab Hill House by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 17,120a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Pafuri Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Nkula Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 8,380a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Hutwini Walking Camp by RETURN Africa
Kruger National Park
From R 11,820a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Jaci's Private Lodge
Madikwe
From R 31,500a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Mdluli Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park
From R 10,670a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
The Orpen Kruger
Kruger National Park
From R 9,024a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge
Kruger National Park
From R 17,400a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 11,980a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Lion Sands Tinga Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 17,500a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Wilge River Bush Camp
Bronkhorstspruit
From R 600a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Lion Sands Narina Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Tomjachu Bush Retreat
Mbombela
From R 3,300a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Orpen Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,815a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Hinkwenu Villa, Lion Sands
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 390a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Tsendze Rustic Camp Site
Kruger National Park
From R 379a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Singita Lebombo Villa
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Satara Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 331a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Olifants Rest Camp
Kruger National Park
From R 1,445a night
Magpie Shrike recorded here
Singita Sweni Lodge
Kruger National Park
Price on request
Magpie Shrike recorded here
The Elephant Coast
Next stop
iSimangaliso wetlands, sand forest, and Sodwana reefs
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Magpie Shrike
Hosts have recorded the Magpie Shrike at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Where to base yourself
Limpopo
Kruger · Mapungubwe
LimpopoSelf-driveStays in LimpopoKwaZulu-Natal
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi · iSimangaliso Wetland · Ithala
KwaZulu-NatalStays in KwaZulu-NatalNorth West
Madikwe
North WestStays in North West
Ways to look
Drive yourself
Your own vehicle and pace, on the park's roads.
Where hosts record it
Species
Urolestes melanoleucus
Records
1,527
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Magpie Shrike on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Magpie Shrike in South Africa?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Magpie Shrike at stays in or beside Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ithala Game Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Magpie Shrike in South Africa?
The Magpie Shrike is most recorded in Mpumalanga (51% of records), Limpopo (33% of records), Gauteng (7% of records), based on 1,527 iNaturalist observations. 53 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Magpie Shrike on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Magpie Shrike?
The Magpie Shrike is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Mapungubwe National Park: May-Sep, dry season; Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep; iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Magpie Shrike?
The magpie shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus), also known as the African long-tailed shrike, is a species of bird in the Laniidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Urolestes. It is native to the grasslands of eastern and southeastern Africa, where its natural habitats are dry savannah, moist savannah, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.