Bay-backed shrike
| Bay-backed shrike | |
|---|---|
_in_Anantgiri,_AP_W_IMG_8868.jpg) |
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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 | |
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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.
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. 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.
Sexes are similar, but young birds are washed-out versions of the adults.
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.
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.
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.
in Hyderabad, India.
at Ananthagiri Hills, in Rangareddy district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
at Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon District of Haryana, India.
at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.
at Hodal in Faridabad District of Haryana, India.
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Wikipedia