Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senator
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Woodchat Shrike is a striking small bird with a distinctive appearance. Males have a reddish-brown crown and nape, contrasting sharply with a black mask and white forehead. The back is black, while the underparts are white with a pinkish tinge.
Females are duller, with brown upperparts and faint barring on the underparts, that may include a white eyering and a streak extending behind the eye. Both sexes have a hooked black bill and black legs. Juveniles resemble females but have more extensive barring.
Size
Length
17cm to 19cm
Wingspan
28cm to 32cm
Weight
25g to 40g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Woodchat Shrikes inhabit open woodland, scrubland, and farmland with scattered trees and bushes. They breed across southern Europe, parts of North Africa, and the Middle East. Their range extends from Portugal to Iran, with the highest densities in Mediterranean regions.
During winter, they migrate to sub-Saharan Africa. In the UK, they are rare visitors, occasionally seen in coastal areas during spring and autumn migration.
Recent sightings have been made on the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, and Somerset. The closest reliable venues where UK birders can spot this species are in France.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,400 meters
Climate zones
Mediterranean, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Woodchat 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 Woodchat Shrike demonstrates high agility through its 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy, requiring quick reflexes to catch prey. Its ability to perform elaborate aerial displays during breeding season further showcases its nimbleness.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not particularly strong for its size, the Woodchat Shrike possesses enough strength to impale its prey on thorns or barbed wire. Its ability to handle a variety of prey, including small vertebrates, indicates moderate strength for its small stature.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
The Woodchat Shrike shows considerable adaptability. It inhabits various environments from open woodland to farmland, can mimic other bird calls, and creates food caches to survive when prey is scarce. Its long-distance migration also demonstrates adaptability to different climates.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Woodchat Shrikes exhibit notable aggression in their hunting behaviour, actively pursuing and impaling prey. Their territorial nature during breeding season and the use of sharp, scolding calls in disputes also indicate a relatively high level of aggression for their size.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Woodchat Shrike's ability to undertake long-distance migrations from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates remarkable endurance. Additionally, their 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy requires sustained periods of alertness, further indicating high endurance levels.
Diet
Woodchat Shrikes are primarily insectivorous, feeding on large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Spiders, ants and snails are also common food items. They also prey on small vertebrates, including lizards, small birds, and rodents.
These birds hunt from a perch, looking for the movement of their prey before dashing out to catch it. Their habit of creating food caches allows them to hunt even when prey is scarce.
Behaviour
Woodchat Shrikes are known for their 'sit-and-wait' hunting strategy, perching on exposed branches to spot prey. They impale their catches on thorns or barbed wire, creating 'larders' for later consumption.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Woodchat Shrikes have a varied vocal repertoire. Their call is a harsh, chattering 'chack-chack' or 'trrrr'. The song, primarily given by males, is a series of warbling notes interspersed with mimicry of other bird species. During territorial disputes, they emit a sharp, scolding 'skree-skree'.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July. Males establish territories and attract females with aerial displays and song. Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season.
The nest, a cup-shaped structure made of twigs, grass, and moss, is typically built in a tree or large bush. Females lay 4-7 eggs, which are pale green or blue with brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 14-15 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 14-16 days but remain dependent on adults for several more weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Woodchat Shrikes are listed globally as Near Threatened and face threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats and protecting stopover sites along migration routes.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Woodchat Shrikes perched prominently on fence posts or treetops
- Listen for their harsh, chattering calls
- Check thorny bushes or barbed wire for impaled prey
- In the UK, search coastal areas during spring and autumn migration
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and hobbies, as well as corvids, snakes, and small mammals that may raid nests.
Did You Know?
- Woodchat Shrikes can mimic the calls of other bird species to enhance their own songs.
- Their scientific name, 'senator', refers to the bird's reddish crown, resembling the robes of Roman senators.
- They can remember the location of their impaled prey for several days.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2022. Lanius senator. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T22705095A209744544.
View source - 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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