Woodchat Shrike
Scientific Name: Lanius senatorMaltese Name: Kaccamendula
Family: Shrikes (Laniidae)
Occurence: Regular
Breeds in Malta: Yes
Breeding Frequency: Occasional and Localized
Overview:
The Woodchat Shrike is a typical shrike, often perching high on branches while on the look out for its prey. It prefers open land with scattered trees and walls. It feeds on large insects, such as beetles and grasshopers and occasionally it feeds on small birds. The badius sub-species of woodchat shrike, often reffered to as Balearic Woodchat Shrike, is recorded on very rare occasions her in Malta. The sub-species is fairly easy to identified at a close range as these birds lack or have very little white in the primaries.
Status:
Regular migrant, rare breeder.
When to See:
Late march till early June and early August till mid-October. Breeding birds present all summer.
Where to See:
Prefers open spaces with high perches but may be seen in many different habitats during migration.
Photographs:
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Adult Male Woodchat Shrike, Buskett |
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| Young Woodchat Shrike, 10th June 2006, Buskett | Woodchat Shrike ssp.Badius, 14th May 2007, Dwejra Malta |
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Adult Female Woodchat Shrike, Buskett |
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| Male Woodchat Shrike, Comino | Woodchat Shrike ssp.Badius, 11th April 2010, Majjistral Natural Park |
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