Identification

The Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor) is a member of the shrike family Laniidae.

This species prefers dry open lowlands, and is prominent on telephone wires.

It is slightly smaller than the Great Grey Shrike, and has a black forehead and relatively longer wings.

It is a scarce vagrant to western Europe, including Great Britain, usually as a spring overshoot.

Distribution

Through out northern and eastern mountain system in Iran. prefers uplands compared to Great gray shrike.

Habitat

It is not similar in appearance to the Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. It breeds in uplands close to dry flats, like Lar Valley in North Iran.

Behaviour

This medium-sized migratory passerine eats large insects, small birds and rodents. Like other shrikes it hunts from prominent perches, and impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a “larder”.