Observe and photograph a species in its natural habitat
Learn where and when to observe a species in the wild, how to recognize it in the field, and what habitats it lives in. Get photography tips adapted to its behavior and capture stunning images without disturbing the animal. For full details, open the complete profile in the WildlifePhotographer app.
Great grey shrike
Scientific name: Lanius excubitor
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Family: LANIIDAE
Group: Birds
Shyness: Very shy
Safe distance: 50 m
Breeding season / Courtship: 01.04-31.07
Gestation: 15–17 jours
Births: 18–21 jours
Habitat:
Open habitats, hedgerows and woodland edges
Description:
The great grey shrike is a small predatory passerine of 22–26 cm with pale grey-brown plumage, a black and white head marked by a broad mask, and pale underparts. It inhabits open habitats with scattered bushes, woodland edges and hedgerows, feeding on insects, small birds and rodents taken from perches.
Recommended lens:
>=400 mm
Photography tips:
Position yourself discreetly at a grove edge or near a hedgerow and wait for it to perch on an exposed branch. Shoot early morning for raking light, using a fast shutter speed to freeze motion and a shallow depth of field to isolate the bird.
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