Masked Shrike
Lanius nubicus
The Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus) is a uncommon shrik found in 39 countries, weighing about 20 g. The masked shrike is a species of bird in the shrike family, Laniidae.
About the Masked Shrike
The masked shrike is a species of bird in the shrike family, Laniidae. It breeds in southeastern Europe and at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, with a separate population in eastern Iraq and western Iran. It is migratory, wintering mainly in northeast Africa. Although it is a short-range migrant, vagrants have occurred widely elsewhere, including northern and western Europe. It is the smallest member of its genus, long-tailed and with a hooked bill. The male has mainly black upperparts, with white on its crown, forehead and supercilium and large white patches on the shoulders and wings. The throat, neck sides and underparts are white, with orange flanks and breast. The female is a…
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How to identify it
The masked shrike is the smallest of its genus, a slender bird which usually weighs 20–23 g (0.71–0.81 oz), measuring 17–18.5 cm (6.7–7.3 in) long with a 24–26.5 cm (9.4–10.4 in) wingspan. It has a long tail and relatively small bill, on each side of which is a tomial tooth; the upper mandible bears a triangular ridge which fits a corresponding notch in the lower mandible. This adaptation is otherwise only found in falcons. The male has mainly black upperparts, a white crown, forehead and supercilium. Voice: The masked shrike gives the harsh calls typical of this family, with repeated tsr, tzr or shek notes and some whistles, and when alarmed produces a rattling krrrr. The bill may be snapped when the bird is agitated. The song, up to a minute long, is soft for a shrike, with chattering sounds interspersed with rich warbles.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, Spain, France, India, Georgia, Germany, Serbia, Nigeria, Somalia, Azerbaijan.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, August, September, October, with peak activity in April. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Masked Shrike?
- The masked shrike is the smallest of its genus, a slender bird which usually weighs 20–23 g (0.71–0.81 oz), measuring 17–18.5 cm (6.7–7.3 in) long with a 24–26.5 cm (9.4–10.4 in) wingspan. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Masked Shrike?
- The Masked Shrike is a small sized bird weighing about 20 g.
- Where can you see a Masked Shrike?
- The Masked Shrike occurs in 39 countries, including Israel, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus and Greece.
- What birds look similar to a Masked Shrike?
- The Masked Shrike is most easily confused with the Grey-backed Shrike, the Isabelline Shrike and the Bull-headed Shrike.
- Is the Masked Shrike endangered?
- The Masked Shrike is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Masked Shrike for real
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