Grey-backed shrike

Lanius validirostris

The Grey-backed shrike is a medium-sized songbird found in parts of Asia. It is known for its distinctive grey plumage on the back and wings, contrasting with a white belly. This species is characterized by a hooked bill and a black mask around the eyes. Grey-backed shrikes are often found in open woodlands, scrublands, and grasslands where they perch on elevated spots to hunt for insects and small vertebrates. They are known for their predatory behavior, impaling their prey on thorns or barbed wire. The conservation status of the Grey-backed shrike is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Habitat: Open woodlands, scrublands, grasslands