Shrike
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Shrikes | |
|---|---|
 |
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| A pair of Long-tailed Fiscals | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Suborder: | Passeri |
| Family: | Laniidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
| Genera | |
Shrikes are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. The family has 31 species in three genera. The family name, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher". Some shrikes were also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits. This is because shrike sometimes kills its prey on a thorn, as on a meat hook.[1]
Distribution [change]
Most shrike species live in Eurasia and Africa, with just two breeding in North America. There are no members of this family in South America or Australia, although one species reaches New Guinea. Some species like the Great Grey Shrike are found across the northern hemisphere to the Newton's Fiscal.[2]
References [change]
- ↑ "shrike (bird) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia". britannica.com. 2012 [last update]. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/542035/shrike. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ↑ Yosef, Reuven (2008). "Family Laniidae (Shrikes)". In Josep, del Hoyo; Andrew, Elliott; David, Christie. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13, Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 732–773. ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3.
Other websites [change]
- Shrike videos on the Internet Bird Collection
