Bay-backed shrike
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The bay-backed shrike (Lanius vittatus) is a member of the bird family Laniidae, the shrikes, resident in South Asia.<ref name=IUCN/>
Description
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.<ref name=gii>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="gii"/>
Sexes are similar, but young birds are washed-out versions of the adults.<ref name=gii/>
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.<ref name=gii/>
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.<ref name=gii/>
It is a widespread resident or breeder in southern Asia and occurs in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India, and Turkmenistan. It is occasionally found in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. It nests in bushes in scrubby areas and cultivation,<ref name=IUCN/><ref name="Oiseaux.net"/> laying 3–5 eggs. <ref name="Oiseaux.net">Template:Cite web</ref>
References
External links
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