In my home language Afrikaans the word "laksman" literally means hangman or the executioner. If you know this kind of bird you might understand why they are called this or why they are compared to hangmen or executioners. These birds are violent, in the sense that they impale their prey on either nature "spikes" (like thors) or artificial "spikes" like fences etc. They are indeed the executioners in the bird kingdom.

This proud friend visited us one early morning when we sat outside drinking coffee. They are notoriously brave (where I come from). He was not bothered by our presence and sat on the across table. I also see them frequently when I work in the garden. As I turn my back on them, they fly to where I worked to investigate and see if they can find some yummy bugs.

Our coffee mugs were not even a meter away from this investigative friend. We, unfortunately, did not have snacks which met his standards because when we gave him some crumbs we looked at us with this disappointed look:

I think he might have wanted a bug or a worm, or he might have wanted a small mouse! I know they prey on small mice here where I live. He sat so proud and deserved that snack, but we had none.

Here you can see at the end of a long day of hunting between the local fine bush (fynbos) our proud friend sits tired and looks over his kingdom.

• birds
• nature
• africa
• wildlife