Red-backed Shrike: Migratory Welfare Science

Key Welfare Facts

Red-backed shrikes disappeared as regular UK breeders in the 1990s due to climate change and insect decline.
They occur as scarce spring migrants on the east coast and rare breeders in southern England most years.
Males create larder caches of impaled prey on thorns serving as food reserves and female display sites.
Habitat requirements during migration stopovers include insect-rich scrubby habitats with thornbushes for caching.
Killing at Mediterranean passage sites including Malta and Cyprus causes direct mortality during migration.
Climate change may allow population recovery if southern breeding habitat becomes suitable through warming.

Welfare Assessment

Red-backed shrike welfare during migration depends on maintaining scrubby insect-rich habitats for stopovers and ending illegal killing in the Mediterranean. Supporting anti-trapping campaigns and habitat management at key passage sites addresses both welfare threats.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns against illegal killing of migratory birds in Mediterranean countries
Report red-backed shrike sightings to county recorders to support breeding and migration monitoring
Maintain or create scrubby thornbush habitats that provide resources for passage migrants
Donate to organisations working to restore insect communities that this species depends on