Grey-backed Shrike
NameGrey-backed Shrike
Common NameGrey-backed Shrike
Scientific NameLanius tephronotus
FamilyLaniidae
Wingspan (cm)28
Length (cm)20
Weight (g)40
Plumage DetailsAdults feature a grey crown and back, a prominent black mask extending from the lores through the eye. The underparts are white, often with rufous or orange-brown flanks and vent. Wings are dark, and the long tail is dark with white outer feathers.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, churring notes and a varied, sometimes scratchy song. Alarm calls are often a sharp 'chak-chak'.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in the Himalayas and central China, migrating south to winter in parts of India, Southeast Asia, and Indochina.
Identifying Featuresgrey back, black eye mask, rufous flanks, hooked bill, long tail
Description
The Grey-backed Shrike is a medium-sized predatory songbird known for its habit of impaling prey. It typically perches prominently on bushes or wires, scanning for insects and small vertebrates in open habitats.
