Emin's shrike

Emin's shrike is a species of passerine bird in the family Laniidae, the shrikes. This species has a scattered distribution across Africa from the Ivory Coast east to South Sudan and Uganda.

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Distribution

Region

West and East Tropical Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs in a discontinuous belt from Ivory Coast and Ghana through Nigeria and Cameroon to Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Uganda. Favors open savanna, wooded grassland, and thorn-scrub with scattered trees and bushy edges. Often uses ecotones such as farm margins, fallows, and road or track edges where perches are available. Presence can be local and irregular, with birds occupying suitable patches within the broader range.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size20–23 cm

Wing Span28–32 cm

Male Weight0.05 kg

Female Weight0.045 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Emin's shrike is a little-known African shrike named after the explorer-administrator Emin Pasha. It occupies patchy savanna and scrub across West to East Africa and can be surprisingly elusive despite using exposed perches. Like other shrikes, it sometimes impales prey on thorns or barbed wire to cache food. Its scattered range makes local encounters notable for birders.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with brief glides

Social Behavior

Usually encountered singly or in pairs, perched prominently on shrubs, small trees, or wires while scanning for prey. Pairs defend territories during breeding and construct a cup nest in dense shrubs or thorny trees. Courtship includes perch-sharing and prey presentation. Young are fed by both adults and disperse into nearby scrub after fledging.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a mix of clear whistles, chatters, and harsh notes typical of shrikes, delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp scolds and metallic ticks when alarmed.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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