Lanius tigrinus
The Tiger Shrike, Lanius tigrinus, is a captivating and distinctively patterned member of the shrike family (Laniidae), known for its predatory 'butcher bird' habits. Measuring approximately 17-19 cm in length and weighing 28-36g, with a wingspan of 26-30 cm, this medium-sized passerine is easily identified by its unique plumage. Adult males boast a striking grey cap, a broad black mask extending from the bill to beyond the eye, and a rufous-brown back conspicuously barred with dark, 'tiger-l...
The Tiger Shrike prefers open deciduous or mixed broadleaf forests, forest edges, secondary growth, orchards, and cultivated lands with scattered trees and dense undergrowth, typically found at low to mid-elevations.
Primarily insectivorous, the Tiger Shrike feeds on a wide array of large insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets, and caterpillars, occasionally supplementing its diet with small lizards, frogs, rodents, or other birds.
Diurnal in activity, the Tiger Shrike is often observed perched conspicuously on exposed branches, telephone wires, or tall vegetation, scanning its surroundings for prey. Its primary foraging strategy involves a 'perch-and-pounce' method, swiftly swooping down on unsuspecting victims. A signatur...
The Tiger Shrike exhibits a fascinating migratory pattern across East and Southeast Asia. Its breeding range encompasses extensive areas of the Russian Far East (including Amurland and Ussuriland), northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of Japan, primarily on Honshu and Kyushu. Follo...
Least Concern
- The Tiger Shrike gets its name from the distinctive, dark, tiger-like barring on its rufous-brown back, particularly noticeable on adult males. - Like other shrikes, it's often called a 'butcher bird' due to its habit of impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating a 'larder' for future mea...