Brown Shrike

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Brown Shrike
Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus
Conservation status
Least Concern[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae Genus: Lanius Species: L. cristatus
Binomial name
Lanius cristatus Linnaeus, 1758

The Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus is a small passerine bird in the shrike family. It was formerly often considered conspecific with the closely-related Red-backed Shrike, L. collurio, and Isabelline Shrike, L. isabellinus.

This bird breeds across central and eastern Asia. It is migratory, wintering south to India, southeast Asia and Indonesia. A wide range of habitats is used for breeding, from taiga and deciduous forest to semi-desert. It builds its nest in a tree or bush, laying 2-6 eggs.

In winter, Brown Shrike is found in secondary forest, often close to human habitation. This species is a rare vagrant to Europe, and has been recorded in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The food is mainly insects and small birds and mammals, caught by a sally from a prominent perch. This is a typical shrike hunting technique.

The Brown Shrike is a small shrike. Like its relatives, it is long-tailed, and perches quite upright. The adult male's upper parts and crown are darkish brown. The face is white with the typical shrike black "bandit-mask" through the eye. Underparts are yellowish buff, although the hues vary somewhat between the different races. Its call is a harsh chatter that pierces the early morning air.

Females are less contrasted and have a greyer crown. Immature Brown Shrikes are scalloped on the underparts.

Contents 1 References 2 Gallery 3 Further reading 3.1 Identification

[edit] References

[edit] Gallery

In Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature feeding in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature feeding in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Image:Brown Shrike I IMG 3580.jpg| Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.	Immature in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

[edit] Further reading

[edit] Identification

• Worfolk, Tim (2000) Identification of red-backed, isabelline and brown shrikes Dutch Birding 22 (6): 323-362