Lanius collurio
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Mass
~30 g
Habitat
Woodlands and parks
Diet
Insects and invertebrates
How to recognize it
The Red-backed Shrike has a compact, watchful look, like a small lookout on a perch. The male is especially memorable with its reddish back, grey head, and dark line through the eye, while females and young ones look softer and browner.
It spends a lot of time sitting out in the open, scanning for prey before dropping on large insects and small vertebrates. Its voice is not musical but sharp and scratchy, and around the nest it can be bold and aggressive.
It breeds across Europe and western Asia and spends the winter in tropical Africa, travelling mostly by night. It uses places with shrubs, trees, and good perches for hunting, and can still be seen in Britain on passage.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Red-backed Shrike has a compact, watchful look, like a small lookout on a perch. The male is especially memorable with its reddish back, grey head, and dark line through the eye, while females and young ones look softer and browner.
It spends a lot of time sitting out in the open, scanning for prey before dropping on large insects and small vertebrates. Its voice is not musical but sharp and scratchy, and around the nest it can be bold and aggressive.
It breeds across Europe and western Asia and spends the winter in tropical Africa, travelling mostly by night. It uses places with shrubs, trees, and good perches for hunting, and can still be seen in Britain on passage.
