About the Isabelline Shrike
The isabelline shrike or Daurian shrike is a member of the shrike family (Laniidae). It was previously considered conspecific with the red-backed shrike and red-tailed shrike. It is found in an extensive area between the Caspian Sea and north and central China southeast to the Qaidam Basin. Overwinters in Africa and Arabia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The plumage is isabelline, the sandy colour which gives rise to its name. It has a red tail. Young birds can be distinguished from young red-backed shrikes by the much sparser vermiculations on the underparts.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, Finland, Morocco, Ireland, South Korea, Sudan, Nepal, Switzerland, Burundi, Rwanda, Syria.
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Bull-headed ShrikeLanius bucephalusThe bull-headed shrike is a passerine bird of eastern Asia belonging to the shrike family Laniidae.
Masked ShrikeLanius nubicusThe 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.
Grey-backed ShrikeLanius tephronotusThe species is 21–25 cm long and weighs 39-54 g.
Learn the Isabelline Shrike for real
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