Home › Aves › Laniidae › Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus)
Lanius
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Open scrub grasslands urban edges
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Passeriformes
FAMILY
Laniidae
GENUS
Lanius
📋 Description
SIZE
17-19 cm long 20-30 g
COLORATION
Grey head rufous back white underparts black mask
ADAPTATIONS
Strong bill for impaling prey perches conspicuously
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Open scrub grasslands urban edges
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-5 eggs in thorny nests incubated 14-16 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects small vertebrates
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss pesticide use
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Bay-backed Butchers: Bay-backed Shrikes hunt with 25-gram bodies impaling 8 grams of insects daily in Rajasthan's scrub. Their rufous backs are striking.
2
Thorn Larders: These shrikes cover 2000 sq km in Gujarat's grasslands storing prey on thorns. Pesticides threaten their food.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Jamnagar in Gujarat
Jorbeer Conservation Reserve in Rajasthan
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round Scrub ensures visibility for spotting shrikes
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch bay-backed shrikes perched on thorns or wires
