Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitor
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Great Grey Shrike is a medium-sized passerine with a distinctive appearance. It has a pale grey body, white underparts, and a striking black mask across its eyes. The wings are black with white patches, and the tail is long and black with white outer feathers.
Females have the same markings as males and may be indistinguishable from a distance, but on closer inspection, they have a slightly brownish wash.
Juveniles show a duller plumage and faint barring on the underparts. The bird maintains its plumage year-round, with no significant seasonal changes.
Size
Length
22cm to 26cm
Wingspan
30cm to 36cm
Weight
60g to 70g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey White Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Great Grey Shrikes inhabit open landscapes with scattered trees and shrubs, including woodland edges, heathland, and farmland. They are found across northern Europe, Asia, and North America, with a preference for boreal and temperate regions.
In the UK, they are primarily winter visitors arriving from Scandinavia. Small numbers can be spotted in suitable habitats across England and Scotland from October to March.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great Grey Shrike. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Great Grey Shrike demonstrates remarkable agility in flight, capable of hovering like kestrels when hunting and performing aerial displays during courtship. Their ability to spot and capture small, swift prey from a distance indicates excellent manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, Great Grey Shrikes possess sufficient strength to capture and impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire. Their ability to handle a variety of prey, including small mammals and birds, suggests moderate strength.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds show considerable adaptability, inhabiting a range of open landscapes from sea level to 2,800 metres elevation. Their varied diet and ability to create food 'larders' demonstrate resourcefulness. However, their sensitivity to habitat changes slightly limits this score.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Great Grey Shrikes exhibit notable aggression in their predatory behaviour, earning the nickname 'butcher bird'. Their carnivorous diet and method of impaling prey indicate a relatively high level of aggression for a bird of this size.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
While not known for exceptional endurance, Great Grey Shrikes undertake partial migrations and can survive in harsh northern climates. Their 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy suggests they conserve energy efficiently, but their relatively short lifespan of 3-5 years indicates moderate endurance.
Diet
Great Grey Shrikes are carnivorous, primarily feeding on small mammals, birds, and large insects. Voles make up the largest element of their diet.
They are known for their unique habit of impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating 'larders' to store food for later consumption. This behaviour has earned them the nickname 'butcher bird'.
They are also skilled at removing the outer skin or feathers of a reptile or bird, meaning they are able to eat a wider range of prey than many other species by removing any toxic or poisonous spines or spikes. Pellets containing undigested parts, such as bones and hair, are later ejected.
Behaviour
Great Grey Shrikes are solitary birds, often seen perched atop prominent lookouts such as fence posts or treetops. They employ a 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy, scanning the ground for prey.
When threatened, they may perform a distinctive tail-pumping display, raising and lowering their tail repeatedly.
Vocalisation
Great Grey Shrikes have a varied vocal repertoire. Their calls include harsh, chattering notes and a distinctive 'shack-shack' alarm call.
During the breeding season, males produce a warbling song that includes mimicry of other bird species, often delivered from a prominent perch.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding typically occurs from April to July. Males perform aerial displays and offer food to attract mates. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season.
Nests are built in trees or tall shrubs, using twigs, grass, and moss lined with softer materials. Females lay 5-7 eggs, which are pale green or buff with brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 16 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 19-20 days but remain dependent on adults for several weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While listed as Least Concern globally, Great Grey Shrike populations are declining in parts of Europe due to habitat loss.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable open habitats with scattered trees and bushes, crucial for their hunting and nesting needs.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
Unknown
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them perched on exposed branches or poles in open areas
- Listen for their harsh, chattering calls
- Observe their hunting behaviour, including impaling prey on thorns
- In the UK, watch for them in winter months in heathland and farmland areas
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Northern Shrike, Northern Grey Shrike, Butcher Bird
Family:
LaniidaeAverage Lifespan
3 to 5 years
Predators
Main predators include larger birds of prey such as hawks and owls, as well as mammalian predators like foxes and martens.
Did You Know?
- Great Grey Shrikes can hover like kestrels when hunting.
- They have exceptionally sharp eyesight, spotting small prey from 50 meters away.
- In some regions, they are considered indicators of environmental health due to their sensitivity to habitat changes.
FAQs
Is a Great Grey Shrike a bird of prey?
Rather than being classed as a bird of prey, a great grey shrike can be termed a predatory songbird, using their precision hunting and butchering skills to capture and prepare prey before eating it.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Lanius excubitor (amended version of 2017 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T103718932A155573860.
View source - 2
report, 2016: Yosef and International Shrike Working Group
Share Your Feedback
We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.