Red-backed Shrike
Scientific Name: Lanius collurioMaltese Name: Kaccamendula hamra
Family: Shrikes (Laniidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
Red-backed shrikes are slightly larger, but slimmer, than spanish sparrows. The male is unmistakable with a bluish-grey head, black mask, bright chestnut back and thick hooked black bill. Red-backed Shrikes like to perch prominently on the tops of bushes, fence posts and telephone wires, where they have a good view of potential prey. Items caught are then taken to thorn where they are impaled and eaten later on. Its diet is a widely varied one as it eats eats large insects, small birds, frogs, rodents and lizards.
Status:
Scarce Shrike. A few records each year, the majority in Auutmn.
When to See:
August till October. End of May till mid-June
Where to See:
It prefers open land with trees and other perches.
Photographs:
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1st Winter Red-backed Shrike, 26th October 2010, Comino |
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| Adult Male Red-backed Shrike,27th July 2008, Dwejra Malta | 1st Winter Red-backed Shrike, 24th October 2007, Comino |
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