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Webster 1913 Edition


Shrike

Shrike

,
Noun.
[Akin to Icel.
skrīkja
a shrieker, the shrike, and E.
shriek
; cf. AS.
scrīc
a thrush. See
Shriek
,
Verb.
I.
]
(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
.
☞ 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
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Shrike

SHRIKE

,
Noun.
[See Shriek.] The butcher-bird; a genus of birds called Lanius, of several species.

Definition 2024


shrike

shrike

English

Noun

shrike (plural shrikes)

  1. Any of various passerine birds of the family Laniidae which are known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns.

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