Biology:Bay-backed shrike

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Short description: Species of bird

Bay-backed shrike
Bay-backed shrike (Lanius vittatus) Photograph by Shantanu Kuveskar.jpg
Lanius vittatus From Mangaon, Maharashtra, India
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Laniidae
Genus: Lanius
Species:
L. vittatus
Binomial name
Lanius vittatus
Valenciennes, 1826

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

Bay-backed Shrike, India, by David Raju.jpg

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.[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 , Nepal 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

  1. BirdLife International (2017). "Lanius vittatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22705026A118774856. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22705026A118774856.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22705026/118774856. Retrieved 13 November 2021. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Grimmett, Inskipp; Inskipp. Birds of India. ISBN 0-691-04910-6. 
  3. Compilers: Stuart Butchart, Jonathan Ekstrom (2008). "Bay-backed Shrike - BirdLife Species Factsheet". Evaluators: Jeremy Bird, Stuart Butchart BirdLife International. http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=5532&m=0. [yes|permanent dead link|dead link}}]

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q781271 entry