15% off similar premium photos at iStock STOCKVAULT15

Red tailed shrike

Shrikes are short necked passerines with sturdy hook tipped bills and long tails. All spices have a mask of wearing darkness. These skilled hunters of the open country occupy vantage point from where they swoop down to catch their prey on a large thorn and were formerly called butcher birds. The red tailed shrike has a striking head pattern with a rufous crown and white supercilium with solid black lores. The grey brown mantle contrasting with rufous brown is diagnostic. It has black wings with a white patch a dark rufous tail and whiter under parts. The female looks similar but it is smaller and duller with incomplete eye mask.