Bay-backed Shrike

Overview

The bay-backed shrike (Lanius vittatus) is a smallish, resident member of the shrike family found across South Asia. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• 17 cm in length with maroon-brown upperparts and a pale rump.
• Grey crown and nape with a distinctive black 'bandit mask' passing through the eye.
• Long black tail with white edges and a small white wing patch.
• White underparts featuring buff flanks and dark grey bill and legs.

Habitat

A widespread resident or breeder in southern Asia, occurring in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India, and Turkmenistan, with occasional records in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. It nests in bushes within scrubby areas and cultivation sites.

Diet

Forages by perching upright on a bush and sallies after lizards, large insects, small birds, and rodents. Prey is often impaled on sharp points, such as thorns, and ripped apart with its strong hooked bill.

Did you know?

Prey may be impaled upon a sharp point, such as a thorn, to secure it for consumption.