Woodchat Shrike

Overview

The woodchat shrike (Lanius senator) is a member of the shrike family Laniidae, recognised by its distinctive chestnut crown. This species is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length of 17–19 cm, slightly larger than a red-backed shrike.
• Males display black and white upper parts, a chestnut crown, and pure white underparts.
• Females and young birds have brown and white vermiculated upperparts and buff, vermiculated underparts.

Habitat

This species favours open wooded areas with scattered trees, such as orchards, particularly where bare or sandy ground is present. Its breeding range covers southern Europe, the Middle East, and north-west Africa, while it winters in tropical central Africa.

Diet

Mainly insectivorous with a preference for beetles, though the diet can include other invertebrates and occasionally small mammals or birds. The bird hunts by perching on exposed lookouts 2–6 m above the ground to drop or glide onto prey, and also makes sallying flights after flying insects.

Did you know?

The specific name senator was chosen because the bird's chestnut cap recalled the colour of the stripe on the toga of a Roman senator. The common name 'woodchat' is an Anglicisation of the German waldkatze, literally meaning 'woodcat'.