Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurio
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Red-backed Shrike is a striking small bird with a distinctive appearance. Males have a bluish-grey head, black eye mask, and reddish-brown back, while their underparts are pale pink. The tail is black with white outer edges.
Females are less colourful, with brown upperparts and barred underparts. Juveniles resemble females but have more extensive barring. Both sexes have a slightly hooked black bill and black legs. The females beak is slightly lighter in colour.
Size
Length
16cm to 18cm
Wingspan
24cm to 27cm
Weight
25g to 36g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Red-backed Shrikes inhabit open areas with scattered bushes and trees, including woodland edges, hedgerows, and grasslands. They breed across much of Europe and western Asia, with a range extending from Portugal to central Siberia.
These birds are long-distance migrants, wintering in eastern and southern Africa. In the UK, they were once widespread but are now rare summer visitors, mainly seen during migration in eastern and southern coastal areas.
They are among the rarest breeding birds in the UK, with a maximum of three pairs raising their young each year. Isolated breeding reports have been recorded in the Shetland Isles, Wales and in south-west England in recent years.
Elevation Range
Up to 3,200 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-backed 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
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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 Red-backed Shrike demonstrates remarkable agility in its hunting behaviour, swiftly swooping down from perches to catch prey. Its ability to navigate through scattered bushes and trees in open areas also suggests high manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While capable of tackling prey larger than itself, including small birds and rodents, the Red-backed Shrike is still a small bird (16-18 cm in length). Its strength is notable for its size, but modest in absolute terms.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
This species shows considerable adaptability, inhabiting various open environments across Europe and western Asia. Its ability to create food caches and mimic other bird calls demonstrates behavioural flexibility. However, its sensitivity to habitat changes slightly tempers this rating.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Red-backed Shrikes exhibit notable aggression in their hunting and feeding habits, particularly evident in their practice of impaling prey on thorns. Their willingness to tackle relatively large prey for their size also indicates a bold, aggressive nature.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
As long-distance migrants travelling from Europe to eastern and southern Africa, Red-backed Shrikes display significant endurance. However, their relatively short lifespan (2-5 years) and preference for perch-hunting rather than sustained flight suggest moderate rather than exceptional endurance.
Diet
Red-backed Shrikes are primarily insectivorous, feeding on large insects such as beetles, bees, and grasshoppers. They also prey on small vertebrates, including lizards, small birds, and rodents (particularly voles).
They hunt from perches, swooping to catch their prey and killing it by either beating it on the ground or decapitating it. It is then carried to a sharp ‘butchering’ thorn or twig, where it is impaled and cached ahead of being picked apart and eaten.
Some berries and fruit may also be eaten later in the autumn, during migration.
Behaviour
Red-backed Shrikes are known for their unique hunting behaviour. They often perch on exposed branches, scanning for prey before swooping down to catch insects or small vertebrates.
These birds are famous for impaling their prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating 'larders' for later consumption.
Vocalisation
The Red-backed Shrike's vocal repertoire includes a variety of harsh calls and warbling songs. Their most characteristic sound is a sharp, grating 'chack' or 'shack' alarm call.
During courtship, males produce a quiet, warbling song that includes mimicry of other bird species, including Chaffinches, Starlings, Blackbirds and Great Tits.
Nesting & Breeding
Red-backed Shrikes form monogamous pairs each breeding season, typically from May to July. Males perform aerial displays and offer food to attract females.
The nest is a cup-shaped structure made of grass, roots, and moss, usually placed in a thorny bush or dense shrub. Females lay 4-6 eggs, which are pale green or cream with brown speckles.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 14 days. Chicks fledge after 14-16 days but remain dependent on parents for another 2-3 weeks. Pairs usually raise one brood per season, occasionally two in favourable conditions.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Red-backed Shrikes have experienced significant declines in parts of their range, particularly in Western Europe.
In the UK, they are now rare breeding birds. Habitat loss and agricultural intensification are primary threats, prompting conservation efforts to restore suitable breeding habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Red-backed Shrikes perched prominently on fence posts or outer branches of bushes
- Listen for their harsh 'chack' call, which can help locate them
- Search for their 'larders' - insects or small animals impaled on thorns
- In the UK, visit eastern England during late spring and summer for the best chance of spotting them
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators of Red-backed Shrikes include birds of prey such as Sparrowhawks and Hobbies, as well as corvids like Magpies and Jays. Ground predators may also raid nests.
Did You Know?
- Red-backed Shrikes can mimic the calls of other bird species in their songs.
- They have a 'larder' behaviour, impaling prey on thorns for later consumption.
- Despite their small size, they occasionally hunt small birds and mammals.
FAQs
Is a Red-backed Shrike a bird of prey?
Red-backed shrikes are not birds of prey, in the same sense as kestrels, hawks or eagles but they are active predators who hunt and kill prey to eat, including small mammals, reptiles and other birds. They belong to a family of passerine birds called shrikes.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Lanius collurio (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22705001A110988087.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
- 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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