MORPHOLOGY / FLIGHT
24-27 cm – weight: 22-30 gr – longevity: 3-5 years
Hovers over grassy areas in order to spot and capture its prey.
HABITAT
Its nest, not built with any great care, is made from roots and grass 1-3 metres above the ground in thorny bushes.
FOOD
Beetles and other insects, small birds; it impales large catches on the thorns and in this way creates a store of food, or larder.
This makes it easier to skin its prey.
NEST
Lays 4-6 eggs which the female incubates for 14-17 days.
The fledglings are fed for the same period in the nest, then for a further three weeks outside the nest.
One clutch per year in May-June.
STATUS
Protected species
MIGRATION
Migratory
Europe
Tropical Africa and the South
PRESENCE
May - June - July - August
BECOMING
Modification of its habitat by agriculture and urbanisation, as well as the use of pesticides means that it is a species in strong decline, one which is endangered throughout its geographic range within the European Union.
SIZE : Small
Hear the song on Oiseaux.net: http://www.oiseaux.net/oiseaux/pie-grieche.ecorcheur.html
Have a very nice walk
This course was realised by LPO 41 group in partnership with :