BROWN SHRIKE

The Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) is a common migratory species whom you can see from September to May every year. They have a distinct loud cher-cher-cher-cher call and are sometimes known to be the neighborhood bully as they can be aggressive to other small Birds. They would spike their prey on thorns or barbed wire for easier eating and storing future meals.

Q: Tell us about the Brown Shrike.

A: Yung Brown Shrike, madalas ko itong makitang mag-isa. Isa ito sa mga matatapang na Ibon at kung minsan, napapansin ko itong nakikipag-away sa ibang Ibon katulad ng Yellow Vented Bulbul at Pied Fantail. Kumakain ito ng mga insekto at ibang maliliit na vertebrates, at dahil hindi ito gaanong kalakihan, pinipira-piraso nila ang kanilang prey para makain, kaya tinawag din silang Butcher Bird.

(I usually see Brown Shrikes on their own. They are among the fiercer Birds and I often notice them picking fights with Yellow-vented Bulbul and Pied Fantails. Brown Shrikes eat insects and small vertebrates. They are a rather small bird and need to take apart larger prey when eating, so they are also called the Butcher Bird.