Lesser Grey Shrike
Lanius minor
Bushveld. Above grey and black; below white; stout hooked beak.
Shrikes
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Fairly common summer visitor. The full black mask (a) is absent in first-year birds; then appears as (b). Most likely to be mistaken for male of [Red-backed Shrike] but is larger, lacks the rufous mantle, has less white at the tail base and has a white wing-bar (conspicuous in flight). Sexes are alike. Normally silent. Solitary in thornveld and mixed bushveld, preferring more open habitat than [Red-backed Shrike]. Still-hunts from a branch, pole or telephone wire. Arrives late Oct–Nov, departs early Apr.
Quick Facts
Size
20-22 cm - M
Names
A: Gryslaksman
Z: unolunga
Ss: Tshemedi-Thokwa
G: Schwarzstirnwürger
Bird Family
Insectivorous or partially carnivorous birds with stout, hooked or slightly hooked bills. They are sometimes known as ‘butcher birds' (genus *Lanius* means ‘butcher') because of their habit of sometimes impaling insects or small animals on a thorn or fence wire, returning later to eat. Habitat preference is for open woodland, where they will still-hunt from a perch.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Solitary in thornveld and mixed bushveld, preferring more open habitat than [Red-backed Shrike].
