Photo: Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius atrococcineus
Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) is a member of the Malaconotidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 48.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Malaconotidae Bushshrikes
- Genus Laniarius
- Species atrococcineus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 48.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crimson-breasted Shrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Crimson-breasted Shrike is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe to c South Africa.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 48.8 g, with a wing length of about 10 cm and a tail of around 10.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crimson-breasted Shrike?
The Crimson-breasted Shrike is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 48.8 g.
Where does the Crimson-breasted Shrike live?
The Crimson-breasted Shrike is found across Africa with a range covering AF Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe to c South Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Crimson-breasted Shrike belong to?
The Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus) belongs to the Malaconotidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Crimson-breasted Shrike eat?
The Crimson-breasted Shrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Crimson-breasted Shrike migrate?
The Crimson-breasted Shrike is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crimson-breasted Shrike endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Crimson-breasted Shrike make?
1 real field recording of the Crimson-breasted Shrike — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crimson-breasted Shrike's range?
The Crimson-breasted Shrike has a mapped global range of about 2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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