Prey items of Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris in southern Namibia

Abstract

Although Southern Fiscals Lanius collaris are a common species in southern Namibia, we found only 18 impalements of prey items. We discuss these in relation to the species impaled, the site of impalement, the height above ground and the time of the year. We suggest that the small number of observations was due to the fact that the study period (July 2017 to June 2022) had below average rainfall, that food was therefore scarce and consumed, and that impalements events were rare.