Overview

Brown Shrike: Small shrike, with warm brown upperparts and buff underparts. Face is white with black mask; throat is white. Bill is short, heavy, and hooked. Tail is long and round-tipped with faint bars. Eats small snakes, rodents, birds and insect. Low, swift flight on shallow, rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Brown Shrike: Asian species casually occurring in Alaska from the western Aleutians, St. Lawrence Island, and Anchorage; fall and winter records from California. Preferred habitats include lowlands, farmlands, downlands, and orchards with thickets and scrub.

Breeding and Nesting

Brown Shrike: Four to seven brown spotted, pink or white eggs are laid in a nest made of sticks lined with feathers, hair, and fine materials. Incubation ranges from 12 to 16 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Brown Shrike: Diet includes insects, reptiles, and small mammals. Forages by perching on a bush, fence post, or power line; prey is often taken to a larder and impaled on a thorn or wedged in a fork.

Vocalization

Brown Shrike: Call is a harsh "chack" and song is a scratchy warble.

Similar Species

Brown Shrike: Other North American shrikes are gray and white.