Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)
Long-tailed Shrike

Long-tailed Shrike

Lanius schach

The Long-tailed Shrike, or Rufous-backed Shrike (Lanius schach), is a striking bird with a distinctive silhouette, characterized by its elongated black tail. It is a member of the Laniidae family, known for their predatory habits and perching poise. The plumage varies across its range, but typically features a black mask and forehead, rufous rump and flanks, and a small white shoulder patch. The eastern subspecies, L. s. tricolor, is often referred to as the Black-headed Shrike due to its entirely black head.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Long-tailed Shrike, look for its long, narrow black tail and the robust black mask that extends over the forehead. The bird's rufous rump and flanks contrast with the white shoulder patch. The plumage can differ among subspecies, but these features are consistent. The sexes are similar in appearance.

Habitat

This species favors dry, open habitats and is commonly seen perched conspicuously on bushes or wires, surveying the landscape for prey.

Distribution

The Long-tailed Shrike is widely distributed across Asia, from Kazakhstan to New Guinea. It inhabits a range of environments from the mainland to the eastern archipelagos.

Behaviour

The Long-tailed Shrike is known for its upright posture when perched. It is a solitary or paired bird, maintaining feeding territories. It glides from perches to capture a variety of prey, including lizards, insects, small birds, and rodents. This species is also known for its playful behavior and vocal mimicry, incorporating a diverse array of sounds into its calls.

Song & Calls

The calls of the Long-tailed Shrike are harsh and grating, often compared to the squealing of a frog in distress. Its ability to mimic other species' calls makes it a fascinating and vocal bird.

Breeding

During the breeding season, which occurs in summer in temperate zones, both sexes participate in nest building and incubation. The nest is a loose cup of twigs and other materials, placed in thorny bushes or trees. Clutches typically consist of 3 to 6 eggs, with chicks hatching after about two weeks.

Similar Species

The Bay-backed Shrike is smaller and more contrastingly patterned than the Long-tailed Shrike, with a more prominent white wing patch.

Diet and Feeding

The Long-tailed Shrike's diet is varied, including animal prey such as fish, small snakes, and insects. It occasionally engages in kleptoparasitism and has been observed feeding on fruits like neem.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Long-tailed Shrike as Least Concern, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of widespread decline.

Long-tailed Shrike Sounds

β€Œ
Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Long-tailed Shrikes on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Shrikes

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter πŸ˜ƒ
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life PokΓ©mon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❀️
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter πŸ˜„
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❀️
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.