The
Black-headed shrike has a larger body build compared to other
shrikes, with an average body length of 25cm and a wing length
of 10cm. Their frontal shields are black, and they have gray
coloration extending from their head to their upper back area.
Their scapulars, lower backs, and upper tail coverts are yellowish-brown;
their frontal body is white; and their long tail, wings, and
legs are all black. The Black-headed shrike also has a black
beak and wide, black eye lines.
Behavior:
Black-headed
shrikes are often seen making calls on outstretched branches
and electric wires. Carnivorous birds, they eat small animals
and insects such as earthworms, locusts, frogs, etc. They
enjoy "pinning" or "sticking" their prey
to trees for consumption at a later time, storing their food
in such a fashion until they are hungry. Black-headed shrikes
mainly inhabit forests, flatlands, farmlands, and grasslands.
Their breeding season falls between April and July, and they
like to build their nests in trees three to five meters above
the ground. Females typically lay a clutch of four to six
eggs, which are white with brown spots and usually 2cm in
length.
Habitat:
Black-headed
shrikes are the only shrikes endemic to Taiwan. They are usually
found in areas below 500m in elevation.
