Unlike most shrikes, this species often forages in pairs or small groups. For this and other reasons it was formerly included in the Helmet-shrike family (Prionopidae), but it has since been moved to the typical shrikes in the family Laniidae.
Formerly this species was lumped with the White-crowned Shrike (E. anguitimens). When they were split, the new names were Northern and Southern White-crowned Shrikes. These names have since been shortened and simplified to White-rumped and White-crowned shrikes respectively, but the IOC and the African Bird Club checklists still call these birds by their old names.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter).