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Shrikes
Two species are regular in the UK, one of which used to breed; several others are very rare visitors.
They are small to thrush-sized birds, with large, round heads, slightly hooked bills and long, sharp, arched claws. They eat insects and, in larger species, small birds, rodents and reptiles, which may be impaled on thorns for ease of feeding or to store for later. All shrikes are migrants, within Europe or to Africa in winter.
The great grey shrike is the largest of the European shrikes. Small numbers come to the UK in autumn and spend the winter here. They are very territorial so you're unlikely to see more than one at onc... More... |  |
Red-backed shrikes are slightly larger, but slimmer, than house sparrows. The male is unmistakable with a bluish-grey head, black mask, bright chestnut back and thick hooked black bill. Shrikes like t... More... |  |