Ayia Napa Sea Caves / Θαλασσινές Σπηλιές, Αγία Νάπα
Ammochostos
Cyprus 20-03-2023
[group] Shrikes | [order] Passeriformes | [family] Laniidae | [latin] Lanius senator | [UK] Woodchat Shrike | [FR] Pie-grieche a tete rousse | [DE] Rotkopf-Wurger | [ES] Alcaudon Comun | [NL] Roodkopklauwier
spanwidth min.: 25 cm
spanwidth max.: 27 cm
size min.: 17 cm
size max.: 19 cm
Breeding
incubation min.: 14 days
incubation max.: 15 days
fledging min.: 15 days
fledging max.: 15 days
broods 1
eggs min.: 5
eggs max.: 6
Physical characteristics
Medium-sized, somewhat skulking shrike, with adult almost totally pied except for chestnut rear crown and hindneck but immature intermediate in appearance between immature Lesser Grey Shrike, and red tailed shrikes, particularly Red-backed Shrike. Male has center of forehead, forecrown, lower lore, and broad patch around eye and over ear-coverts black, with small white spot on rear crown, nape, and uper mantle. Rest of mantle brown-black, with cream-white scapulars which form on sides of back most conspicuous patch of all shrikes, back grey, rump and upper tail-coverts white. Tail black, with fringes and tis increasingly white from center to edge but not particularly bold. Wings brown-black, with quite broad white patch across base of primaries and white tips to tertials and secondaries. Sexes dissimilar, little seasonal variation.
Habitat
Breeds in west Palerctic in middle and lower middle latitudes mainly in Mediterranean climatic zone, but extending in west into temperate zone, and in S-E to edge of steppe and desert. On plain and lower slopes of large open valleys and requiring fairly tall trees, these must be well spaced in open woodland, garden, or meadows, with plenty of room between lower branches and ground, which should either be bare or carry only very low plant cover. Also occupies roadside trees, woodland margins near cultivation, and parks or hedges with large thorny bushes.
Other details
Lanius senator is a widespread summer visitor to much of southern and central Europe, which constitutes >50% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is large (>480,000 pairs), but underwent a large decline between 1970-1990. Although some populations?notably in south-east Europe?were stable or increased during 1990-2000, the species continued to decline across most of its European range, including in its Spanish stronghold, and underwent a moderate decline (>10%) overall.
Feeding
Mainly insects and other invertebrates, principally beetles, occasionally small vertebrates. Perches on exposed look-out from which drops or glides down onto ground prey or makes sallying flights after flying insects.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. [conservation status from birdlife.org]
Breeding
Breeding starts May to mid July in Germany, mid May to early July in France, late April-May in Spain, early May to late June in Greece, late April to late May in Algeria and late March to mid June in Israel. Nest site always in trees, especially fruit trees and olive in fork of trunk. Nest is a strong cup of leafy plant material and roots lined with wool, hair, fine roots, cobwebs, moss, and lichen. 5-6 eggs are laid, incubation lasts 14-15 days performed by female, rarely also by male.
Migration
Migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa north of Equator, and in small numbers (perhaps regular) in southern Arabia. Autumn movement probably broad-front in south to south-west direction- recorded in smaller numbers than in spring, presumably due chiefly to unbroken flights. Spring movement conspicuous throughout North Africa and Mediterranean, slower progression probably contributing to impression of seasonal difference in numbers. Leaves European breeding grounds in second half of August or beginning of September (July to early October), adults before juveniles. Arrives in winter quarters August-October, mainly September. Departure from winter quarters protracted, February-May. Passage through Mediterranean area late March to early June, with main arrival on northern breeding grounds around mid-May. Annual vagrant to Britain and Ireland, with average c. 14 birds (4-24) per year- peak period late May or early June and late August or early September. Annual vagrant in Netherlands, especially May-June with some August-September.
