The red-tailed shrike or Turkestan shrike[2] (Lanius phoenicuroides) is a member of the shrike family (Laniidae). It was formerly considered conspecific with the isabelline shrike and the red-backed shrike.

Description

The plumage is a sandy colour. It has a red tail.[3]

Range

The red-tailed shrike breeds in south Siberia and Central Asia.

Habits

This migratory medium-sized passerine eats large insects, small birds, rodents and lizards. Like other shrikes it hunts from prominent perches, and impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a larder. It breeds in open cultivated country, preferably with thorn bushes.

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International. (2016). "Lanius phoenicuroides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103718714A104092963. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103718714A104092963.en. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  2. ^ Message, Stephen (2001) "The Turkestan Shrike in Kent" Birding World 14(10):432–434
  3. ^ .Worfolk, Tim (2000) "Identification of red-backed, isabelline and brown shrikes" Dutch Birding 22 (6): 323–362


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