Habitat associations of the Brown Shrike ( Lanius cristatus Linnaeus, 1758) during the non-breeding period in human-modified landscapes of Southeast Asia

Land-use changes are a major driver of biodiversity shifts in Southeast Asia, particularly within human modified landscapes. Understanding how migratory species use habitats during the non-breeding season is important for assessing their tolerance to environmental changes. We examined the non-breeding habitat associations of the Brown Shrike ( Lanius cristatus Linnaeus, 1758) in Laos by analysing 139 field-detected occurrence sites and comparing them with an equal number of randomly selected background points. Three landscape variables were most strongly associated with the detection of shrikes: road area (positive relationship), and the extent of built-up areas and forest cover (both negative relationships). Brown Shrikes were most frequently recorded in semi-open environments within agricultural mosaics, where structural elements such as perches and open foraging spaces were maintained. Our findings suggest that modified landscapes can provide suitable conditions for the species when structural habitat elements are retained. Our study provides the first fine-scale assessment of the non-breeding habitat associations of Brown Shrikes in mainland Southeast Asia and highlights the importance of maintaining mosaic agricultural landscapes for migratory insectivorous birds.