Lanius excubitor
Length:
24cm
Wingspan:
32cm
Weight:
68g
The great grey shrike is the largest member of the shrike family in Europe. They spend their winters here in the UK, arriving in the autumn.
When it comes to spotting a great grey shrike, you'll rarely find more than one together - this is because they are extremely territorial. They have a distinctive black mask and grey plumage, long tails and are a medium-sized bird.
Other birds tend to mob shrikes as they are recognized as a predator by them.
Their diets mainly consist of small mammals, birds and insects. They often store food by impaling it on thorns, almost in a make-shift 'larder'!
Get the latest BirdFacts delivered straight to your inbox
© 2023 - Bird Fact. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.