Features& Description
The Red-backed Shrike, Latin name “Lanius collurio”, is an insectivorous bird that also feeds on lizards and small rodents, larger than a House Sparrow.
The male’s plumage is characterized by a gray cap, a black band running from the eye to the beak, brown back feathers and a pink belly. The tail is fairly long and the hooked beak slightly crossed. Females are brown, with scale-like stripes on their bellies.
Habitat(Biotope)
The Red-backed Shrike is found in open countryside, often on heaths and meadows bordered by thorny hedges.
Behavior& habits
These hedgerows encourage its behavior of stocking up on insects and small animals by impaling them on the thorns (“larders”). It also uses the barbed wire surrounding the meadows as a larder, making offerings to the female, or on bad weather days when food is scarce.
Reproductionand immature
The Red-backed Shrike builds its nest in thorny shrubs 1.5 meters above the ground.
It can house up to 6 eggs, which incubate for 15 days.
Juveniles fly after 15 days and stay with their parents until they migrate to Africa.
Cryor Voice
She emits a nasal alarm “vèvv” and often a “tchèk” when worried. Rarely sings.
Nature photographer - amateur
