The video was recorded by a tour guide at the Mala Mala Wildlife Reserve in South Africa. The footage was captured by Pieter van Wyk on an early morning while leading a group of tourists through the reserve.
In the clip, a bird is relentlessly attacking a boomslang (Dispholidus typus) – one of the most venomous snakes in Africa. The snake continuously turns its head to flee as the bird strikes its head and eyes. This small, aggressive bird dives in to peck at the snake’s eyes in a bid to incapacitate its prey quickly before eating it.
Known as the fearsome “killer” bird, this species is the grey-headed bushshrike, scientifically named Malaconotus blanchoti. The grey-headed bushshrike typically inhabits forest edges, riverine forests, bushes, and grasslands.
The grey-headed bushshrike specializes in hunting snakes for food.
The grey-headed bushshrike is of medium size, with a body length ranging from 23 to 26 cm and weighing between 65 to 99 g. They have short, rounded wings, a black hooked beak, and grayish-blue legs and feet.
This bird is known for its aggressive behavior, specializing in hunting snakes for food, including highly venomous cobras which can also fall victim to them. The grey-headed bushshrike particularly enjoys consuming the eyes and intestines of its prey.
The grey-headed bushshrike particularly enjoys consuming the eyes and intestines of its prey.
