Grey-backed Shrike

Identification

The grey-backed shrike is a medium-sized shrike measuring 21–25 cm long and weighing 39–54 g, characterized by its notably long tail. The nominate race displays a striking black facial mask extending from the lowermost forehead through the lores and eye to the rear ear-coverts, contrasting with a dark grey crown and upperparts. A small rufous rump patch provides a distinctive field mark, while the upperwing is black with pale rufous to whitish fringes on the wing-coverts, secondaries, and tertials. The tail is chestnut-brown with a buffish tip, and the throat and undertail are brownish-grey. The iris is dark brown, and the bill is black or dark green. Sexes are very similar in appearance. The paler subspecies lahulensis has a brownish-grey back, more visible white primary patch, and sometimes a blackish tail. Juveniles are browner overall with a less-marked facial mask and heavily barred plumage.

Range & Habitat

The grey-backed shrike inhabits South-east Asia across two subspecies. The nominate race breeds from Nepal east to northeast India and central and southern China, while the smaller race lahulensis breeds from north Kashmir to central India and southwest China. Post-breeding, birds range south to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indochina. This species favours high-elevation habitats including forest clearings, plateau plains, and mountain meadows dotted with small trees or bushes, occurring from at least 2700 m upwards to 4500 m in Nepal and south China. On non-breeding grounds, they inhabit valleys and plains in gardens, abandoned cultivation, young coniferous stands, and pastures at various elevations.

Behaviour & Diet

Grey-backed shrikes are primarily sit-and-wait predators, perching atop high grasses, bushes, or trees while scanning for prey. They feed mainly on insects—moths, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and caterpillars—supplemented by small vertebrates including lizards, frogs, birds, and rodents. Like other shrikes, they characteristically impale prey and maintain larders. During breeding season, hunting remains concentrated within 150 metres of the nest. They breed between June and July in India and April to August in south China, nesting territorially at elevations of 4010–4540 m. Nests are bulky structures placed 0.7–3 m above ground in bushes or small trees. Clutches contain 3–6 eggs, with incubation lasting 15–18 days and nestlings fledging after 14–15 days of parental care from both sexes.

Best Time & Places to See It

The grey-backed shrike is best observed during the breeding season from June to July in Indian highlands and May to June in south China. Birdwatchers should focus on high-elevation habitats in Nepal, northeast India (particularly Arunachal Pradesh), and south China (especially Yunnan, Xizang, and surrounding regions) where the species frequents open plateaus, mountain meadows, and forest clearings. During winter months, lower-altitude locations become accessible as birds descend to foothills and plains across Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.

Photography Tips

Photographers should position themselves to capture the distinctive black facial mask and contrasting grey upperparts that define this species. The long tail and rufous rump patch are key field marks worth emphasising in images. Since grey-backed shrikes are sit-and-wait predators, patience near suitable perching sites—tall grasses, isolated bushes, and trees in open habitat—offers the best opportunities for action shots. Early morning light will best reveal the subtle plumage details and highlight the bird's characteristic upright posture when perching. In breeding habitat, photographing territorial males defending nests may yield dramatic behavioural sequences.