Eurocephalus

Taxobox
name = "Eurocephalus"

---

image_width = 270px
image_caption = Southern White-crowned Shrike
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Passeriformes
familia = Laniidae
genus = "Eurocephalus"
genus_authority = Smith, 1836
subdivision_ranks = species
subdivision = "E. rueppelli "
"E. anguitimens"

"Eurocephalus" is a small genus of passerine birds in the shrike family. Just two species are placed in this genus.

* Northern White-crowned Shrike or White-rumped Shrike, "Eurocephalus rueppelli"
* Southern White-crowned Shrike or White-crowned Shrike, "Eurocephalus anguitimens"

These are large brown and white shrikes found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are gregarious species, unlike the "Lanius" shrikes, and have a parrot-like flight.

"Eurocephalus" shrikes are birds of savanna and open woodland habitats, typically seen perched upright on a prominent thornbush perch. These species primarily take large insects, but will occasionally eat fruit which has fallen to the ground.

The male and female are similar in plumage in both species but are distinguishable from immature birds.

References

* Tony Harris and Kim Franklin, "Shrikes and Bush-Shrikes" ISBN 0-7136-3861-3