Bay-backed shrike

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Bay-backed shrike
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L. vittatus at Ananthagiri Hills, in Rangareddy district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Laniidae
Genus:
Lanius
Species:
L. vittatus
Binomial name
Lanius vittatus
(Valenciennes, 1826)

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The bay-backed shrike (Lanius vittatus) is a member of the bird family Laniidae, the shrikes, resident in South Asia.

Description

File:Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) at Sultanpur I Picture 052.jpg
L. vittatus at Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon District of Haryana, India.

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.[2] 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.[2]

Sexes are similar, but young birds are washed-out versions of the adults.[2]

Habits and 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.[2]

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.[2]

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.[3]

References

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Gallery

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