Bay-backed shrike

Lanius vittatus

The bay-backed shrike is a member of the bird family Laniidae, the shrikes, resident in South Asia.
Bay-backed shrike -  Lanius vittatus  Bay-backed shrike,Geotagged,India,Lanius vittatus,Winter

Appearance

It is smallish shrike at 17 cm, maroon-brown above with a pale rump and long black tail with white edges. The underparts are white, but with buff flanks.
The crown and nape are grey, with a typical shrike black bandit mask through the eye. There is a small white wing patch, and the bill and legs are dark grey.

Sexes are similar, but young birds are washed-out versions of the adults.
Bay backed Shrike  enjoying rat  Bay-backed shrike,Geotagged,India,Lanius vittatus,Winter

Habitat

The bay-backed shrike has a characteristic upright "shrike" attitude perched on a bush, from which it sallies after lizards, large insects, small birds and rodents.

Prey may be impaled upon a sharp point, such as a thorn. Thus secured they can be ripped with the strong hooked bill, but its feet are not suited for tearing.

It is a widespread resident breeder in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, and has recently been recorded from Sri Lanka. It nests in bushes in scrubby areas and cultivation, laying 3-5 eggs.

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Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyLaniidae
GenusLanius
SpeciesL. vittatus
Photographed in
India