Black-headed Shrike.
The black-headed shrike measures 21 - 23.5 cm in length and weighs 47 - 53 g. It is similar in size to a starling and generally resembles the gray shrike in coloration, with a pale, bluish-gray back, but it has a black crown, a wide stripe on the sides of the head (across the eye), and black wings and tail. The wing spots, tail side stripes, and underside are white with a grayish-pink or pink tinge on the chest and sides.
Among the birds returning in spring, the black-headed shrike is one of the last: it arrives only in early May. Its return journey occurs earlier than that of others, usually at the end of summer, in August.
It winters in tropical Africa.
Its preferred habitat includes trees planted along roads, orchards, as well as small field groves, hedges, and closely standing bushes. The black-headed shrike is one of the most charming and harmless species of its family. It livens up the area where it lives in a very pleasant way, as it is more active, lively, and restless than any other shrike.
Nests are built high in deciduous trees. The clutch, laid in late May to June, consists of 5 - 6 pale greenish or clay-white eggs with spots. Both the male and female incubate for 15 days.
It feeds almost exclusively on insects and spiders. Its prey includes butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers, their larvae, and pupae. It perches on the tops of trees, bushes, solitary poles, rocks, and other elevated objects, watching for its prey.
If humans catch this bird, it is solely for keeping in captivity. Captured shrikes delight with their beauty and ability to mimic various sounds. They are common in the plain part of the forest zone.
Shrikes stand out among the overwhelming majority of songbirds with their predatory behavior. Despite their small size, shrikes can attack various small vertebrates: frogs, lizards, small birds, rodents, and moles. Another characteristic of these birds is their habit of impaling their prey on sharp thorns and dry branches, creating a unique food cache.
In Kyrgyzstan, there are four species. The gray shrike is a rare migratory species. The gray shrike can reach up to 26 cm in length and weighs 65 - 75 g. The male has ashy-gray plumage on its head and back, with a grayish or white belly. Its wings and tail are black with white markings. There is a black stripe from the eye to the nape. Nests are found in trees and bushes. The clutch, laid in early May to June, consists of 4 - 6 (up to 8) light greenish eggs with spots. Incubation lasts 14 - 16 days.
The long-tailed shrike (Lanius schach) is almost the same size as the gray shrike but is easily distinguished by its reddish spots on the sides and long, step-like, reddish tail. In our region, it is an immigrant, native to Southeast Asia. It is more aggressive than other shrikes.
Birds of the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan
