Red-tailed shrike
| Red-tailed shrike | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Not recognized (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Laniidae |
| Genus: | Lanius |
| Species: | L. phoenicuroides |
| Binomial name | |
| Lanius phoenicuroides Schalow, 1875 | |
The red-tailed shrike (Lanius phoenicuroides) is a member of the shrike family (Laniidae). It was formerly considered conspecific with the isabelline shrike and the red-backed shrike. The red-tailed shrike breeds in south Siberia and central Asia.
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.
The plumage is a sandy colour. It has a red tail.
References
Further reading
Identification
- Worfolk, Tim (2000) Identification of red-backed, isabelline and brown shrikes Dutch Birding 22 (6): 323-362
Vagrant occurrences
- Message, Stephen (2001) The Turkestan Shrike in Kent Birding World 14(10):432-434
External links
- Oiseaux Pictures
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Wikispecies has information related to: Lanius phoenicuroides |