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noun

Shrike n. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family Laniidae, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the tip. Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European gray shrike (Lanius excubitor), the great northern shrike (Lanius borealis), and several others, kill mice, small birds, etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that account called also butcher birds. See under Butcher. Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds of the family Formicaridae. The cuckoo shrikes of the East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family Campephagidae. The drongo shrikes of the same regions belong to the related family Dicruridae. See Drongo.

Crow shrike. See under Crow.

Shrike thrush.

(a)

Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of the genera Thamnocataphus, Gampsorhynchus, and allies.

(b)

Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian singing birds of the genus Colluricincla.

Shrike tit.

(a)

Any one of several Australian birds of the genus Falcunculus, having a strong toothed bill and sharp claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice, in search of insects.

(b)

Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds belonging to Allotrius, Pteruthius, Cutia, Leioptila, and allied genera, related to the true tits. Called also hill tit.

Swallow shrike. See under Swallow.

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Etymology of 'Shrike'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Shrike" Quotes from Famous Books

... drives him away. He will bear no intrusion. A pair of butcher-birds built very near this spot one spring, but afterwards appeared to remove to a place where there is more furze, but beside the same hedge. The determination and fierce resolution of the shrike, or butcherbird, despite his small size, is most marked. One day a shrike darted down from a hedge just before me, not a yard in front, and dashed a ...

— Nature Near London • Richard Jefferies

... yet a Ficus may be seen planted by the side of Cupressus pendula, and Punica thrives. The change in temperature was very great. Birds abounded throughout; a new sombre-coloured dove was shot by P.: the most common birds were the orange-billed shrike ...

— Journals of Travels in Assam, Burma, Bhootan, Afghanistan and The - Neighbouring Countries • William Griffith

... Short-eared Owl Acadian Owl Screech Owl Great Gray Owl Hawk Owl Barn Owl Richardson Owl Hairy Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Flicker Pine Grosbeak Red-winged Crossbill White-winged Crossbill Redpoll Blue Jay Horned Lark Lapland Longspur English Sparrow Winter Wren Chickadee Northern Shrike Snowflake ...

— New York at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis 1904 - Report of the New York State Commission • DeLancey M. Ellis

Words linked to "Shrike" : piping crow-shrike, loggerhead shrike, oscine, Lanius ludovicianus migrans, ant shrike, migrant shrike, black-fronted bush shrike, swallow shrike, northern shrike, bush shrike, white-rumped shrike, butcherbird, European shrike, oscine bird, Laniidae