Vicinity Tshukudu Lodge, Genius Loci, near Pretoria, South Africa July 18, 2007. Some authors (e.g. Howard & Moore) place this bird in the genus Melaenornis. Two subspecies are recognized, both confined to Southern Africa. S. s. lawsoni in the North and nominate S. s. silens to the south. Lawsoni is paler below often with more buff on the throat. I think this bird is probably silens, but differences are slight and this location is near the boundary of the two races. I would welcome any informed opinion on the subspecies question. I believe this is an immature, paler and somewhat browner above than the adult male and showing contrasting brownish wing coverts retained from juvenal plumage. This species is frequently confused with the unrelated Common Fiscal (Lanius collaris). Like the Common Fiscal, it often pounces on the ground when foraging. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FS 3 / 30XWA / hand-held, no adapter.