Shrikes

Often called 'Butcherbirds' due to their carniverous diet and method of hunting and feeding. They usually perch on a prominent object such as a tree top, fence post or wire where they can search out their prey. Once the kill has been made they will often hang the victim on a thorn or spike for later. We have 2 regular species.

Great Grey Shrike - A striking bird and a special sighting. A few over-winter with us as solitary individuals. They stay faithful to favourite locations, often returning to the same spot year after year. They usually have a favourite height tree as their look-out post. They hunt anything from insects to small mammals and birds. They have the unusual habit of storing prey they don't need to eat straight away by impaling them on a thorn or barbed wire, until required.

Cannock Chase in Staffs during October

Red-backed Shrike - Much smaller than the Great Grey. Similar to a bullfinch in size. The head is large and distinctly shrike shaped with the curved upper bill. These are fairly rare passage migrants. Mainly seen down the east side of the country.

Saw this female bird on passage in Shetland - June.