Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

cyprusmax47 · Post by **cyprusmax47** » Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:57 pm

In open grassland ( farmland ) I recognized this bird, sitting on top of an high fence and not really shy, so I took some pics. I am not sure if it is a Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor ) but perhaps Shane will tell me as usual.

Max

ApusApus · Post by **ApusApus** » Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:38 pm

Spot on Max, Lanius minor it is, the English name is Lesser Grey Shrike!

Shane

cyprusmax47 · Post by **cyprusmax47** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 8:47 am

Thanks for your confirmation Shane. You did not tell me that it is a common bird sighting in Cyprus though....maybe I am wrong.

Max

TLR · Post by **TLR** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:05 am

Great pic Max. I sometimes see a Grey Shrike sitting on the fence across the lane from my house, there is a large pile of old branches piled up next to the fence, and he seems very interested in the insect/larvae life in the wood. Beautiful bird (if little sinister looking!)

cyprusmax47 · Post by **cyprusmax47** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:37 am

TLR wrote: ↑Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:05 am Great pic Max. I sometimes see a Grey Shrike sitting on the fence across the lane from my house, there is a large pile of old branches piled up next to the fence, and he seems very interested in the insect/larvae life in the wood. Beautiful bird (if little sinister looking!)

Nice link which I found searching for Shrikes. It also explains "what they eat" :

"Once a large prey has been captured, Southern Grey Shrike usually impales it upon stumps, thorns, or barbed wire, due to its inability to hold it with the claws for a long time".......

https://www.giraffa.co/southern-grey-shrike/

Max

Uncle D · Post by **Uncle D** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 9:41 am

We had a Hoopoe in one of the trees last week, wasnt quick enough to get a picture though, here is one

https://youtu.be/yBdnHWb8nR0

ApusApus · Post by **ApusApus** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:15 am

Keep your eyes peeled folks, there will be a lot more migrants passing through in the next couple of months!

Shane

aphrodite · Post by **aphrodite** » Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:41 am

I heard a different sounding bird outside my window this morning, it was one of these birds jumping from branch to branch on a bush. It had a sort of soft warble. It didn’t stay for long though.

Nicely caught photo Max, I would also be interested to know if they are a common sighting as this is the first time I’ve spotted one. X

Paphos Life

Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic

Re: Grey Shrike ( Lanius minor) ? First time pic