The masked shrike is a species of bird in the shrike family, Laniidae. It breeds in southeastern Europe and at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, with a separate population in eastern Iraq and western Iran. It is migratory, wintering mainly in northeast Africa. Although it is a short-range migrant, vagrants have occurred widely elsewhere, including northern and western Europe. It is the smallest member of its genus, long-tailed and with a hooked bill. The male has mainly black upperparts, with white on its crown, forehead and supercilium and large white patches on the shoulders and wings. The throat, neck sides and underparts are white, with orange flanks and breast. The female is a duller version of the male, with brownish black upperparts and a grey or buff tone to the shoulders and underparts. The juvenile has grey-brown upperparts with a paler forehead and barring from the head to rump, barred off-white underparts and brown wings аpart from the white primary patches. The species' calls are short and grating, but the song has melodic warbler-like components.
Region
Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East
Typical Environment
Breeds from southeastern Europe (e.g., the Balkans, Greece, and Cyprus) through Turkey, the Levant, and parts of Iraq and western Iran. Prefers open woodlands, orchards, scrubby hillsides, riparian thickets, and edges of pine or oak forests with scattered perches. In winter it moves to northeast Africa, using Acacia savannas, dry scrub, and wooded valleys. It favors mosaic landscapes with open ground for hunting and nearby shrubs or trees for nesting and lookout posts.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The masked shrike is the smallest member of the shrike genus Lanius, notable for its striking black-and-white head pattern and orange-washed flanks. It breeds around the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, then migrates to winter mainly in northeast Africa. Like other shrikes, it sometimes impales prey on thorns for later consumption. Vagrants occasionally reach northern and western Europe far outside the normal range.
Female in Israel
Juvenile
Eggs
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Generally solitary outside the breeding pair, defending territories vigorously. Nests are placed in shrubs or small trees, with both adults feeding the nestlings. Courtship includes song displays from prominent perches. Like other shrikes, it may cache or impale prey on thorns or barbed wire.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Calls are short, grating, and scolding. The song is a more melodic series of whistles and warbler-like phrases, sometimes incorporating mimicked notes, delivered from exposed perches.
Plumage
Male with glossy black upperparts contrasted by a white crown, forehead and supercilium, large white shoulder and wing patches, and a long black tail with white edges. Underparts are white with rich orange on the flanks and upper breast. Females are duller with brownish-black upperparts and buffy or grey tones on shoulders and underparts; juveniles show fine barring above and below. Overall appearance is cleanly patterned with a distinct facial mask and long-tailed profile.
Diet
Feeds primarily on large insects such as beetles, orthopterans, and hymenopterans, also taking spiders and other arthropods. Will occasionally capture small lizards or small mammals. Prey is often spotted from a perch and taken by short sallies to the ground or foliage. Some items may be impaled for storage.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along woodland edges, orchards, hedgerows, and scrub with scattered trees. In winter, favors Acacia-dotted savannas and dry thornbush, using exposed perches to scan for prey.
