Woodchat Shrike

The Woodchat Shrike is a bird of open Mediterranean landscapes, distinguished by its red head, black mantle with white wing patches and black tail with pale edges and base. In flight it displays a black and white pattern. Its long black bill is characteristic of small birds of prey. Although similar to the red-backed shrike, the juvenile common shrike has a pale patch on the primary feathers and lacks the reddish-brown rump. It is often seen on high branches, bushes, fences or walls, hunting insects and small reptiles.

Its beak is reminiscent of a bird of prey’s, robust and hooked, suitable for tearing meat.