Red-backed Shrike

1. Bird Name

English Name: Red-backed Shrike
Latin Name: Lanius collurio

2. Appearance

The Red-backed Shrike is a distinctive bird species with a wonderfully appealing blend of colors and patterns. The male bird carries a stunning grey head that seamlessly meets with its bold, black eye mask. Such striking eye masks give the species a bandit-like appearance. The back and rump of this species exhibit a showy reddish-brown hue, as reflected in its name, and this stands in contrast to its milky underparts. The female bird presents a less dramatic color palette with a brown top and barred underparts. Both males and females possess a sharply hooked, robust beak showcasing their predatory nature. Younger birds mirror the females’ coloration but have more barring on their backs.

3. Size

On average, the Red-backed Shrike measures between 16 to 18 cm in length. The wingspan of this species ranges from 22 to 27 cm, and they typically weigh from 25 to 40 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution

The Red-backed Shrike predominantly inhabits the continent of Europe and the western part of Asia and winters in tropical Africa. This bird species delights in a mosaic of habitats including grasslands, pasture, hedgerows, scrublands, open woodlands, and occasionally gardens and parks. Its distribution, however, is fragmented, and its pattern of local abundance can change from year to year.

5. Interesting Facts

An interesting fact about the Red-backed Shrike is its unconventional method of storing food known as “larder.” This involves impaling its captured prey on thorns or barbed wires for future consumption. Another fact is the species’ migratory behavior, with individuals traversing long distances, from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa and back. This bird also holds a place in folklore as being a presage of war due to its hook-tipped beak and aggressive behavior.

6. Diet

The Red-backed Shrike is a carnivorous bird and its diet primarily consists of large insects like beetles, butterflies, and bees. But it doesn’t limit its cuisine to insects – small mammals, birds, and lizards also make it to its menu.

7. Behavior & Sounds

This Shrike species is mostly solitary and territorial. Unusual amongst passerines, they hunt like birds of prey. Their call is a harsh “chack-chack”, whereas their song is a mix of melodious warbles and harsh notes. The sound may vary geographically, underscoring complexity impossible to pigeonhole.

8. Conservation Status

The Red-backed Shrike is classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but numbers across Europe have shown a significant decline in the last six decades, putting it on the Birds of Conservation Concern “Amber List” in the UK.

9. Lifespan

In the wild, the Red-backed Shrike can live up to seven years. Their lifespan in captivity is yet to be recorded.

10. Additional Notes

Locally, this bird is referred to as “Schwarzstirnwürger” in German, “Alcaudón dorsirrojo” in Spanish and “Pie-grièche écorcheur” in French. In terms of ecosystem roles, Red-backed Shrikes are important in controlling insect and small rodent populations. They usually maintain a safe distance from humans unless their territory is intruded upon. Then, they exhibit aggressive behaviors and vocalise loudly to deter the intruders.