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Birds and Butterflies of Rhodes
RODOPTERA
Lanius senator
Woodchat shrike (male). Greek: κoκκιvoκεφαλάς (αρσενικός). Massari, April 2023.
Breeding migrant, becoming uncommon, formerly common and widespread. April to October. Length 17-20 cm, wingspan 26-29 cm. Sexes similar, female with grey-brown back and smaller black mask. Light forests, farmland with trees, olive groves, orchards, gardens. Hunts from bush tops, fence posts, power lines. Feeds mainly on insects, occasionally takes lizards, mice, small birds. Characteristic habit of impaling prey on thorns, twigs, barbed wire for later consumption. Nests in trees, bushes. Aggressive territorial male behaviour. Very noisy, both sexes voice long strings of chattering, trills, whistles and mimicry.
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