From Field Guide to the Birds of Java and Bali

by John MacKinnon (1988).

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)

Description: Medium-sized (20 cm) brown shrike, Adult: forehead and eyebrow stripe white; eyestripe broad black; crown and upperparts unbarred brown; underparts buffy white. Immature similar but back and sides barred by wavy dark brown lines. Iris - brown; bill - black, feet - blackish grey.

Voice: Generally silent but occasional chattering 'tzih-tzih-tzih' calls.

Distribution and status: Breeds In northern Asia migrating south in winter to India, S.E. Asia, Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Philippines, Moluccas, Lesser Sundas and New Guinea. In Java and Bail it is a common winter visitor up to 800m.

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Habits: Frequents open cultivated or secondary habitats, Including gardens and plantations. Single birds perch on bushes and small trees, chase flying insects or pounce on insects or small animals on the ground.

Diet: Beetles, grasshoppers, spiders and other insects, also small Iizards.

Race: Mostly L. c. superciliosus; L. c. confusus and L. c. lucionensis may occur.