Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senator
The Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) is a common shrik found in 85 countries, weighing about 36 g. The woodchat shrike is a member of the shrike family Laniidae.
About the Woodchat Shrike
The woodchat shrike is a member of the shrike family Laniidae. It can be identified by its red-brown crown and nape. It is mainly insectivorous and favours open wooded areas with scattered trees such as orchards, particularly when there is bare or sandy ground. The woodchat shrike breeds in southern Europe, the Middle East and northwest Africa, and winters in tropical Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The woodchat shrike is 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in overall length which is slightly larger than a red-backed shrike. The male is a striking bird with black and white upper parts, a chestnut crown and pure white underparts. The race L. s. badius of the western Mediterranean lacks the large white wing patches. In the female and young birds, the upperparts are brown and white and vermiculated. Underparts are buff and also vermiculated.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Netherlands, Finland, Luxembourg, Somalia, Andorra.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in April. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Woodchat Shrike?
- The woodchat shrike is 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in overall length which is slightly larger than a red-backed shrike. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Woodchat Shrike?
- The Woodchat Shrike is a small sized bird weighing about 36 g.
- Where can you see a Woodchat Shrike?
- The Woodchat Shrike occurs in 85 countries, including Spain, France, Portugal, Israel and Greece.
- What birds look similar to a Woodchat Shrike?
- The Woodchat Shrike is most easily confused with the Iberian Grey Shrike, the Northern Shrike and the Bay-backed Shrike.
- Is the Woodchat Shrike endangered?
- The Woodchat Shrike is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Woodchat Shrike for real
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