Long Tailed Shrike

The long-tailed shrike or rufous-backed shrike (Lanius schach) is a member of the bird family Laniidae, the shrikes,  is sometimes called the black-headed shrike. Although there are considerable differences in plumage among the subspecies, they all have a long and narrow black tail, have a black mask and forehead, rufous rump and flanks and a small white patch on the shoulder. It is considered to form a super species with the grey-backed shrike (Lanius tephronotus).

 The long-tailed shrike is a typical shrike, favouring dry open habitats and found perched prominently atop a bush. The dark mask through the eye is broad and covers the forehead in most subspecies and the whole head is black in subspecies tricolor and nasutus. The tail is narrow and graduated with pale rufous on the outer feathers. The sexes are alike in plumage.

This bird has a characteristic upright "shrike" attitude when perched on a bush, from which it glides down at an angle to take lizards, large insects, small birds and rodents. They maintain feeding territories and are usually found single or in pairs that are well spaced out. The usual calls are harsh grating and scolding calls, They are capable of vocal mimicry and include the calls of many species including lapwings, cuckoos, puppies and squirrels in their song.

 The breeding season is in summer in the temperate ranges. The nest is a deep and loose cup made up of thorny twigs, rags and hair. This is placed in a thorny bush, The usual clutch is about 3 to 6 eggs which are incubated by both sexes. The eggs hatch after about 13 to 16 days.

All these photographs are captured in Lodha Heaven, river side, dombivili east, Thane, Maharastra.