Tiger Shrike

The Tiger Shrike, or Thick-billed Shrike (Lanius tigrinus), presents a striking visage, reminiscent of its feline namesake with a patterned plumage. This small passerine, part of the shrike family Laniidae, is a rather stocky bird, measuring 17-19 cm in length. The male of the species is particularly distinctive with a robust blue-black bill, a grey head adorned with a black mask, and a reddish-brown back with dark bars. The underparts are a clean white. Females and juveniles are somewhat less vivid, with duller brown tones and a less pronounced mask.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Tiger Shrike, look for the adult male's reddish-brown back with blackish bars and a stark black mask against a grey head. Females and young birds are browner and have a less extensive mask. Juveniles can be recognized by their dark scale-like markings and the absence of grey and black on the head. The thick bill and grey-black legs are also key identification features.

Habitat

The Tiger Shrike favors wooded habitats, thriving in deciduous or mixed woodland and forest edges. It is also known to inhabit farmland with scattered trees, preferring the lower elevations for its territories.

Distribution

This species breeds in temperate regions of eastern Asia, with its range spanning from Ussuriland in the Russian Far East, through central and eastern China, Korea, and parts of Japan. It migrates southward to winter in the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia.

Behaviour

The Tiger Shrike is a shy and often solitary bird, less conspicuous than its shrike cousins. It is predatory in nature, feeding on a variety of small animals and typically hunting from a perch at the forest edge.

Song & Calls

The Tiger Shrike's vocal repertoire includes a musical warbling song and a suite of harsh calls. These range from a loud, repeated territorial call to a chattering alarm call and a softer trilling.

Breeding

Breeding season spans from May to July, with pairs forming monogamous bonds. The nest, a cup-shaped structure built in trees or bushes, hosts three to six eggs, which are incubated primarily by the female.

Similar Species

The Tiger Shrike can be differentiated from the larger Brown Shrike by its shorter tail and thicker bill. The Bull-headed Shrike is also larger with a longer tail, while the Burmese Shrike is slimmer with a white wing-patch and a plain chestnut back.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet consists mainly of insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles, but it also consumes other arthropods, small birds, and lizards. The Tiger Shrike employs a less conspicuous hunting strategy than other shrikes, often foraging among branches and leaves.

Conservation Status

The Tiger Shrike is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, there have been noted declines in populations, particularly in Japan and Russia, warranting continued observation and conservation efforts.