Passeriformes / Laniidae / Lanius
Isabelline Shrike
Lanius isabellinus · 荒漠伯劳
Introduction
Member of the shrike family (Laniidae), previously considered conspecific with the red-backed and red-tailed shrikes. Found in an extensive area between the Caspian Sea and north and central China southeast to the Qaidam Basin. Migratory, overwintering in Africa and Arabia. Distinctive behavior includes hunting from prominent perches and impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire.
Description
Medium-sized passerine. Plumage is isabelline (sandy colour). Has a red tail. Young birds have much sparser vermiculations on the underparts compared to young red-backed shrikes.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in open cultivated country, preferably with thorn bushes, across an area between the Caspian Sea and north and central China southeast to the Qaidam Basin. Overwinters in Africa and Arabia.
Behavior & Ecology
Migratory. Diet consists of large insects, small birds, rodents, and lizards. Hunts from prominent perches. Impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a larder.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Laniidae
- Genus
- Lanius
Subspecies (3)
-
Lanius isabellinus arenarius
breeds northwestern China (Xinjiang); winters to Iran, Pakistan, and northwestern India
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
