Bygone birding: Red-backed Shrike - a species 'partial to downs and open pastures in southern districts'

                                                         

Gould's depiction of an adult male (top) and a first-year male 

Except occasionally on migration, the Red-backed Shrike has now been lost to  Great Britain. In his The Birds of Europe (1837) author-artist John Gould recalls a time when it was more widespread.

Among the shrikes which periodically visit our island, the Red-backed is the best known and most universally spread. 

Its arrival usually occurs from the middle of April to the beginning of May, the exact period being regulated by the forwardness of the spring, inasmuch as its food consists almost solely of insects, the appearance of which depends upon the temperature of the season. 

Though found occasionally in the northern counties of England, it is by no means so abundant there as in the middle, and more especially the southern districts. 

In Scotland it is, we believe, altogether unknown, nor are we aware of its having been discovered in Ireland. 

It is partial to downs and open pastures, particularly such as are intersected or bordered by thick stunted hedges, where it may be commonly met with singly or in pairs, but never in flocks. 

Like the rest of the shrikes, its manners and note are very peculiar and serve at once to distinguish it from the small birds of other groups.

Its chief food consists of insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles and the larger kinds of flies, which it often takes on the wing. 

It may be generally noticed quietly perched in some commanding situation awaiting the approach of its prey upon which it darts not unlike a flycatcher, generally returning to the same perch. 

Besides insects, it is known to attack young and feeble birds, mice, lizards and slugs  which, as is the case with most of its congeners, it impales on a sharp thorn or spike previously to tearing them to pieces.

Though small in size, the Red-backed Shrike is extremely fierce and courageous, defending itself with great obstinacy when wounded or assailed. 

On the Continent it is widely distributed, being spread throughout every province of Europe, from the south as far as Russia and Sweden; and we may add that it is also a native of North  Africa.

The Red-backed Shrike builds its nest in sharp thorny bushes, often at a considerable distance from the ground, constructing it of dried grasses and wool, with a lining of hair. 

The eggs are five or six in number, of a pinkish white, with spots of wood-brown disposed in zones chiefly at the larger end.