This medium-sized bird is known for its striking appearance and intriguing behaviors. Found across southern Europe, western and central Asia, and parts of North Africa, the lesser grey shrike migrates to southern Africa during the winter months.
The lesser grey shrike has a distinctive look that makes it easy to identify. It has a black mask that stretches from its beak, through its eyes, to the back of its head, giving it a bandit-like appearance. Its back and wings are a soft grey, while its underparts are white. The wings also have patches of black and white, which are particularly noticeable when the bird is in flight. The tail is black with white edges, and the beak is strong and hooked, perfect for its predatory lifestyle.
One of the most interesting behaviors of the lesser grey shrike is its hunting technique. Like other shrikes, it is known for impaling its prey on thorns, barbed wire, or sharp branches. This habit has earned shrikes the nickname “butcher birds.” The lesser grey shrike primarily feeds on large insects, such as grasshoppers and beetles, but it will also eat small birds, rodents, and reptiles. Impaling prey serves several purposes: it helps the bird tear its food into manageable pieces, allows it to store food for later consumption, and may even act as a way to attract mates by demonstrating its hunting prowess.
Lesser grey shrikes prefer open habitats with scattered trees or shrubs, such as grasslands, farmland, and savannas. These environments provide plenty of perching spots for the birds to watch for prey. During the breeding season, which occurs in the spring and early summer, the lesser grey shrike builds its nest in a tree or large shrub. The nest is made from twigs and grasses and lined with softer materials like feathers and hair.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Angola
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia And Herz.
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burundi
Cameroon
Chad
China
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malawi
Mali
Malta
Mauritania
Moldova
Montenegro
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
São Tomé & Príncipe
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Turkmenistan
Turkey
UAE
Uganda
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
