The Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio is a predatory bird that feeds primarily on insects, small mammals, and small birds. It is known for its hunting technique of impaling its prey on thorns or barbed wire, creating a ‘larder’ where it stores its food for later consumption, giving it the nickname ‘butcher bird.’ As a migratory species the red-backed shrike rarely breeds in the UK, and is mostly seen along the east coasts. The juvenile female pictured here is on her way to southern Europe to breed.
Ron took up wildlife photography when he retired from Scottish Natural Heritage in 2015. He uses his knowledge and fieldcraft to photograph birds at close quarters. His favourite group of birds to photograph are waders, mostly on the Ythan estuary where he lives.
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