Giant Grey Shrike
Lanius giganteus
Giant Grey Shrike (Lanius giganteus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Giant Grey Shrike (Lanius giganteus) is a member of the Laniidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 92.1 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 Laniidae Shrikes
- Genus Lanius
- Species giganteus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 92.1 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Laniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Giant Grey Shrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Giant Grey Shrike is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Giant Grey Shrike (Lanius giganteus) is a member of the Laniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL c China.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 92.1 g, with a wing length of about 12 cm and a tail of around 14.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 730,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Giant Grey Shrike?
The Giant Grey Shrike is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 92.1 g.
Where does the Giant Grey Shrike live?
The Giant Grey Shrike is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL c China, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Giant Grey Shrike belong to?
The Giant Grey Shrike (Lanius giganteus) belongs to the Laniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Giant Grey Shrike eat?
The Giant Grey Shrike is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Giant Grey Shrike migrate?
The Giant Grey Shrike is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Giant Grey 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.
How large is the Giant Grey Shrike's range?
The Giant Grey Shrike has a mapped global range of about 730,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Laniidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.