Shrike definition

Shrike





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2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Shrike \Shrike\, n. [Akin to Icel. skr[imac]kja a shrieker, the
     shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scr[imac]c a thrush. See
     {Shriek}, v. 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}.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: 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}.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {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}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  shrike
       n : any of numerous Old World birds having a strong hooked bill
           that feed on smaller animals

















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