Shrikes are birds of the family Laniidae. The family is composed of 34 species. The Antbirds are a large passerine bird family, Thamnophilidae, found across subtropical and tropical Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina.
There are more than 230 species, known variously as Antshrikes, Antwrens, Antvireos, Fire-eyes, Bare-eyes and Bushbirds. They are related to the Antthrushes and Antpittas (family Formicariidae, the Tapaculos, the Gnateaters and the Ovenbirds. Despite some species’ common names, this family is not closely related to the Wrens, Vireos or Shrikes
The family name Shrike, is derived from the latin word for “butcher”, and some Shrikes are also known as butcherbirds because of the habit, particularly of males, of impaling prey onto plant spines within their territories. These larders have multiple functions, attracting females and serving as food stores. The common English name Shrike is from Old English, alluding to the shrike’s shriek-like call.
