Masked Shrike
A species of Typical shrikes Scientific name : Lanius nubicus Genus : Typical shrikes
Masked Shrike, A species of Typical shrikes
Botanical name: Lanius nubicus
Genus: Typical shrikes
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Maskenwürger_(Lanius_nubius)_by_C._Becher.jpg , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The masked shrike is the smallest of its genus, a slender bird which usually weighs 20–23 g (0.71–0.81 oz), measuring 17–18.5 cm (6.7–7.3 in) long with a 24–26.5 cm (9.4–10.4 in) wingspan. It has a long tail and relatively small bill, on each side of which is a tomial tooth; the upper mandible bears a triangular ridge which fits a corresponding notch in the lower mandible. This adaptation is otherwise only found in falcons. The male has mainly black upperparts, a white crown, forehead and supercilium. There are large white patches on the shoulders and primaries, and the outermost tail feathers are also white. The throat, neck sides and underparts are white, with orange on the flanks and breast. The iris is brown, the bill is black and the legs are dark brown or black. The female is a duller version of the male, with brownish-black upperparts and a grey or buff tinge to the white shoulder patches and underparts. The juvenile has grey-brown upperparts with darker bars from the head to rump, a paler grey forehead, barred off-white underparts and brown wings with white primary patches. Masked shrikes are most similar in appearance to woodchat shrikes, but are smaller, more slender and longer-tailed. Adults of the two species are easily distinguished, since the masked shrike has white on its head and a dark rump, whereas the woodchat shrike has a black crown, rusty nape and white rump. Juveniles are more similar, but the masked shrike has a longer tail, paler face, and grey back and rump, whereas the woodchat shrike has a sandy back and pale grey rump. Juveniles moult their head, body and some wing feathers a few weeks after fledging, and adults have a complete moult after breeding. In both cases, if the process is not complete by the time of migration it is suspended and completed on the wintering grounds. 
Size
19 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
4.34 years
Feeding Habits
Masked Shrike primarily consumes large insects, arthropods, and small vertebrates, often impaling prey for later consumption. Exhibiting agility in flight akin to flycatchers for aerial catches and foraging from a perch, masked Shrike can feed during migration, occasionally capturing other migrating birds. Without extensive fattening for migration, masked Shrike adapts with on-route feeding.
Habitat
Masked Shrike typically inhabits open woodlands with a mix of bushes and glades, showing a preference for areas with large, isolated trees. This species is found in a range of environments from light deciduous and mixed forests to maquis vegetation. Though usually not common near human settlements, it can occasionally be found in cultivated lands studded with mature trees, citrus and olive groves, orchards, vineyards, and gardens. Masked Shrike is largely associated with more densely vegetated habitats than other sympatric shrikes, favoring lower altitudinal zones under 1000 meters but can be found up to 2000 meters in certain mountainous regions. While migrating and in non-breeding grounds in Africa, masked Shrike prefers locales with substantial tree cover such as acacia woodlands and riverine forests, often selecting habitats with large trees like acacia and eucalyptus.
Dite type
Carnivorous
General Info
Behavior
The masked shrike is a solitary species except when on migration. It maintains a breeding territory of 2–5 ha (5–12 acres) and is also territorial on the wintering grounds, defending an area of about 3 ha (7 acres). Although unafraid of humans, it is aggressive to its own species and other birds which infringe on its territory. Most other shrikes use high, exposed branches throughout the year, but the masked shrike only uses conspicuous locations at the start of the breeding season, otherwise choosing lower, more sheltered spots. It perches upright, frequently cocking its tail, and has an easy, agile flight. A masked shrike has been recorded as feigning injury when trapped, only to return to normal when the threat receded.
Distribution Area
The masked shrike breeds in the Balkans, northeast Greece and some of the Greek islands, Turkey, Cyprus and from Syria south to Israel. It also nests in eastern Iraq and western Iran. The range in the east is uncertain, and may include Afghanistan and northern Saudi Arabia. It is migratory, wintering south of the Sahara, mainly in Chad, Sudan and Ethiopia. Smaller numbers are found west to eastern Mali and Nigeria, and in northern Kenya and southern Saudi Arabia. Most birds leave the breeding areas in late August and September, and return north in February and March. This species is seen in Egypt, Jordan and Israel much more often in spring than autumn, suggesting that the southern movement may be concentrated further east. Birds will hold small territories on about 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) on migration, and, unlike other shrikes, may congregate in significant numbers. More than 100 have been seen in one locality in Israel, with five in a single bush. This shrike has occurred as a vagrant in Algeria, Finland, Kenya, Libya, Spain, Sweden, Mauritania and Turkmenistan. At least three individuals have been documented in Great Britain, and two individuals in Armenia. The masked shrike's preferred habitat is open woodland with bushes and some large trees. Unlike its relatives, it avoids very open, lightly vegetated country. Orchards and other cultivated land with suitable old trees or large hedges are also used by this species. It is normally found in more wooded areas than sympatric shrikes. It occurs in lowlands and in hills up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). In some areas breeding occurs at greater altitudes, up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It may occur in gardens and resorts on migration, and in winter again prefers open country with thorny bushes and large trees like acacia or introduced eucalyptus.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By Maskenwürger_(Lanius_nubius)_by_C._Becher.jpg , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
True shrikes Genus
Typical shrikes Species
Masked Shrike 
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