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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Lanius collurio
Red-backed shrike (male). Greek: αετoμάχoς (αρσενικός). Malona, April 2022.
Passage migrant, becoming uncommon. Length 16-18 cm, wingspan 26-28 cm. Sexes similar, female with vermiculated underparts and generally duller colours. Open areas with scrub, olive groves, forest edges. Hunts from prominent perches, takes prey on ground and in flight. Feeds mainly on insects, occasionally takes lizards, mice, small birds. Characteristic habit of impaling prey on thorns, twigs, barbed wire for later consumption. Territorial male behaviour. Harsh calls, soft trilling song with some mimicry.
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