Red-tailed Shrike

Overview

The red-tailed shrike, also known as the Turkestan shrike, is a medium-sized passerine bird belonging to the shrike family. It is classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Sandy-coloured plumage
• Distinctive red tail

Habitat

This species breeds in south Siberia and Central Asia, favouring open cultivated country that preferably includes thorn bushes.

Diet

The bird forages for large insects, small birds, rodents and lizards, typically hunting from prominent perches. It impales its captured prey on thorns or barbed wire to store as a larder.

Did you know?

The red-tailed shrike was formerly considered conspecific with the isabelline shrike and the red-backed shrike.