Burmese Shrike

The Burmese shrike is a slim, long-tailed shrike with a hooked bill and an upright lookout posture. Adult males show a grey crown and mantle, black mask, white throat and underparts, chestnut back and rump and a distinct white patch in the dark wing. Females are duller and browner, while juveniles show fine scaling. Its longer tail, slimmer build, white wing patch and plain chestnut back help separate it from the tiger shrike (Wikipedia, general species account, citing Harris and Franklin).

The species occurs from northeastern India and southern China through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It uses moist lowland and montane forest margins, scrub and open wooded country where exposed branches provide hunting perches. Like other Lanius shrikes, its strong, hooked bill is adapted for taking animal prey, and birds scan open ground and foliage from a perch before making a direct attack. Breeding has been documented in northern Thailand (Bangladesh Red List bird account; Round 1982).