It is a subspecies of the Brown shrike known in Japan as the Shima Akamozu Lanius cristatus lucionensis. This subspecies of the Brown shrike migrates from eastern China and the Korean Peninsula to the Amami, Okinawa, and Yaeyama Islands as a winter visitor. Whereas the subspecies Lanius cristatus superciliosus, once seen throughout Japan, has reddish-brown upperparts, the subspecies Lanius cristatus lucionensis is considerably more greyish. The subspecies Lanius cristatus has declined dramatically over the last century, with the Honshū population predicted to become regionally extinct by 2026. Conservation efforts, led by the University of Human Environments, are underway.

　Meanwhile, this subspecie is commonly seen throughout Ishigaki Island from autumn to spring, even in small vacant lots within towns. Indeed, the bull-headed shrike, common bird all over Japan,  is considered a rare bird on Ishigaki Island. Characterised by its eye stripe, all shrikes have faces resembling those wearing masks.

    Its distribution is confined to eastern Eurasia, making it one of those birds whose sightings in Europe and America become newsworthy.