Bull-headed Shrike (Lanius bucephalus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Bull-headed Shrike is a small East Asian bird with a hooked bill. It hunts from exposed perches, taking insects, frogs, lizards, and other small animals, and may store prey by impaling it on thorns or wire. It is not regularly found in the United States; American birders are more likely to see a Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) or Northern Shrike.

Appearance

Appearance: This 7.5–7.9 in (19–20 cm) shrike has a stout hooked bill and a long tail. Adult males show a warm orange-brown crown and flanks, a black mask, a gray back, and a white wing patch; females are browner and barred below.
Voice: Calls are harsh and chattering, and the song can include imitations of other birds.

Look-alikes

Loggerhead ShrikeLanius ludovicianus

The Loggerhead Shrike is gray, black, and white, with a broad black mask crossing the top of the bill. A Bull-headed Shrike has a warm orange-brown crown and flanks that Loggerheads lack.

Why they get mixed upBoth have a hooked bill, black mask, white wing patch, and the habit of hunting from exposed perches.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: farmland
woodland edges
parks and gardens
Range: Its native range is eastern Asia, from northeastern China and far eastern Russia through Korea and Japan. It is not regularly found in the United States.
Seasonal presence: Northern birds move south in winter, while many birds in milder parts of the range remain year-round.

Behavior

Diet: It takes insects and spiders as well as frogs, lizards, small birds, rodents, and other small animals.
Activity: It scans the ground from a branch, post, or wire, then drops quickly onto prey. Larger prey may be wedged or impaled for later use.

Life cycle

Nest: It makes a cup nest from stems, vines, bark, and other plant fibers in a tree or shrub.
Clutch size: A clutch usually has 4–6 eggs.
Incubation: Incubation lasts about 14 days.
Fledging: Young leave the nest about 14 days after hatching.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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