The red-backed shrike Lanius collurio in southeastern Sweden: habitat and territory

Abstract

Territory and habitat of a population of red-backed shrikes were studied extensively for four decades, and more intensively during the last 5 years, in Gryt, SE Sweden. Territories were fairly small, 0.5-1 ha. Characteristics of the habitat and the shrikes' use of habitat are described. Open sunny areas with plenty of well-spread perches were important. About 1000 prey items were recorded mainly by analysing food remains in nests and in pellets below perches. Hymenoptera (55% by number) and Coleoptera (36%) dominated strongly in the shrikes' diet, vertebrates making up only 2.3%. The studied population appears to have remained stable over the four decades. However, a decline is likely to start soon also in this area. Possible measures to protect different kinds of habitat essential to red-backed shrikes are discussed. -from Author