Bay-backed Shrike

Lanius vittatus

Order:

Passeriformes

Family:

Laniidae

Size:

17-19 cm

Weight:

18-26 g

Taxonomy:

L. v. vittatus (Valenciennes, 1826)

Short Description:

Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) is a small passerine bird species found in Pakistan, known for its distinctive appearance and predatory behavior. This shrike species exhibits sexually dimorphic plumage, with males featuring a black mask extending from the bill to the eyes, a black back, and a cinnamon-colored rump and flanks. Females have a less pronounced mask and duller plumage overall. Both sexes have a hooked bill, ideal for capturing and impaling prey.

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Bay-backed Shrike is widely distributed across Pakistan, inhabiting a range of habitats including open woodlands, scrublands, grasslands, and agricultural areas. It is commonly found throughout the country, from the arid regions of Balochistan to the fertile plains of Punjab and Sindh, and even into the foothills of the Himalayas in the northern regions.

Bay-backed Shrikes are renowned for their predatory behavior, preying on insects, small birds, and occasionally small mammals. They often perch on exposed branches or wires, scanning their surroundings for potential prey. Once spotted, they swoop down to capture their target with their sharp bill before returning to a perch to consume or impale their catch on thorns or barbed wire. During the breeding season, Bay-backed Shrikes establish territories and engage in courtship displays to attract mates. They construct cup-shaped nests made of twigs, grass, and other plant materials, typically placed in dense vegetation or thorny shrubs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks once they hatch, exhibiting cooperative breeding behavior.