Brown shrike

A subspecies of the Brown Shrike with a gray head.

Scientific name	Lanius cristatus lucionensis
English name	Brown shrike
Japanese name	島赤百舌
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Laniidae
Genus	Lanius
Species	cristatus
Subspecies	lucionensis
Full length	20cm
Distribution	In Japan, found in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture. Rare in Honshu and Kyushu.

Brown shrike Characteristics and Morphology

About the same size as a Bull-headed Shrike, with a generally grayish body. Mostly monomorphic.
The head is large, similar to other shrikes. The crown is gray, while the forehead and cheeks are white. A black mask (eyeline) extends to the ear area. The iris is black. The bill is lead-colored and sharp. The back is brown, and the belly ranges from pale brown to white. The tail feathers are long and brown. The legs are lead-colored.
The difference from the nominate subspecies (Brown Shrike) is the coloration of the head. The Philippine Brown Shrike is gray and does not have a brownish tint on the head.

Song

Brown shrike Ecology

Habitat

Found around farmland and grasslands.

Food

Eats small animals such as insects and earthworms.

Brown shrike Photos

Brown shrike Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

It takes on a brownish tint from the wings to the tail feathers.

Brown shrike Behavior

Perches on horizontal branches or man-made structures to scan the surroundings.

Brown shrike Information

Naming

The scientific name "cristatus" means "crested," likely referring to the head of this species. The subspecies name "lucionensis" means "of Luzon," as it was frequently observed on Luzon Island in the Philippines.

Brown shrike Found Locations

Ishigaki Island

I saw it many times near farmland. It would perch on man-made structures or horizontal tree branches, looking around the area. Its shape was very similar to the Bull-headed Shrike found in Honshu, but its coloring was gray.

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