Red-Backed Shrike Vs Honey Buzzard: Key Differences Explained
The Red-Backed Shrike and the Honey Buzzard are both birds, but that’s pretty much where their similarities end. These two completely different birds come from different bird families, look completely different, have widely different habits and live in completely different habitats.
This makes identifying one from the other quite a simple task. In this article we’ll take a closer look at the main differences between the Honey Buzzard and the Red-Backed Shrike. Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Red-Backed Shrikes are far smaller than Honey Buzzards
- Male Red-Backed Shrikes can be identified by their distinctive reddish-brown back and black eye mask
- Honey Buzzards are much larger and are typically brown all over with a barred tail and wings
- Red-Backed Shrikes prefer open habitats with some trees or shrubs they can use as a perch
- Honey Buzzards prefer woodlands and forests and areas close to water
- The primary food source of the Honey Buzzard is bee and wasp larvae which is where it gets its name
- Red-Backed Shrikes impale their prey on thorns, sharp twigs or barbed wire fences which is why they are known as “the butcher bird”
What Is The Difference Between A Red-Backed Shrike And A Honey Buzzard?
There are many differences between the Red-Backed Shrike and the Honey Buzzard which include;
Visual Differences
Red-Backed Shrike are small birds (typically around 17 cm in length), males have a distinctive reddish-brown back, grey head and a black mask across the eyes. Females are less colourful with mainly brownish tones. Both sexes have a short hooked beak which is typical of all Shrikes, suited for catching and killing prey.
Honey Buzzards are much larger birds (generally around 52 to 60 cm in length), they are generally brown all over with a barred tail and wings, a relatively small head and yellow eyes. Their tails are long for a raptor and they have extraordinarily broad wings as well. The beak is large and hooked but less powerful than that of other raptors.
Differences In Habitat
Red-Backed Shrikes prefer open habitats with a scattering of bushes or trees, like; scrublands, heathlands and farmlands. They always use a high perch to survey the ground for their prey.
Honey Buzzards are generally found in woodlands, forests and areas close to water. Their preferred habitat will have access to lots of insect nests.
Both of these birds are summer visitors to the UK and both breed in Europe before flying off to over winter in Africa. Red-backed Shrikes are typically the last to arrive in spring and one of the first to leave in September.
Differences In Diet
The diet of the Red-Backed Shrike consists of insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles. They are known for impaling their prey on thorns, sharp twigs or barbed wire fences. This action has earned them the nickname of “the butcher bird”.
Honey Buzzards specialise on feeding on the larvae of bees and wasps which is how they got their name. They will also eat other insects and the occasional small mammal, bird or reptile. Honey Buzzards have scales around their eyes and face which protects them against insect stings.
Nests & Eggs
Red-Backed Shrikes nest in dense, thorny hedgerows where they create an untidy, messy sprawl of plant stems, roots and grasses. The nest is lined with moss, fur and hair. The female will lay anywhere between 3 to 8 eggs with an average clutch containing 5 eggs.
The eggs are pale green, olive, pink or buff coloured and have a covering of reddish-brown spots concentrated at the larger end of the egg. Each egg is around 22 x 17 mm in size and they will usually only have one brood per season.
Honey Buzzards build large nests in trees usually in forks of branches around 25 metres (82 feet) off the ground. The nests are made from twigs and branches which are then lined with moss, leaves and other plant materials.
They often decorate their nests with greenery from nearby trees like Oak, Larch, Beech or Douglas Fir. Honey Buzzard eggs are white or pale buff in colour with heavy brown markings and are about 51 x 41 mm in size. The larger egg size reflects on the larger size of the adult bird.
Bird Calls
The call of the Red-Backed Shrike is quite distinctive when marking their territories. The sound is heard all around the bird’s fairly large territory and has a “tschack” sound. They also have a broad vocal range and their song often mimics other bird species.
Honey Buzzards are generally quiet birds but can often be heard making a distinctive “peee-lu” call, mainly during the breeding season.
Size & Weight
Red-Backed Shrikes are a typical size for Shrikes with an average length of around 17 cm and a wingspan of around 24 to 27 cm. They weigh around 25 to 35 grams with both males and females being a similar size and weight.
Honey Buzzards are far bigger than Red-Backed Shrikes and have a length of around 52 to 60 cm and a wingspan of around 135 to 150 cm. They can weigh anywhere between 600 to 1,100 grams with females being around 5% larger than males.
SEE ALSO: Oystercatcher Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Frequently Asked Questions
The difference between a buzzard and a honey buzzard is that honey buzzards, although looking similar to buzzards, have longer wings, a longer tail and a slimmer neck.
Honey buzzards feed on bee, wasp and hornet larvae. They use their talons to dig larvae out of their nests. The head and face of the honey buzzard is covered in scale-like feathers for protection.
Red-backed Shrikes have the nickname of butcher bird due to their habit of impaling their prey on thorns, sharp twigs and barbed wire.
