Woodchat Shrike

Easily recognizable by its striking black-masked appearance, featuring a red crown and nape, this robust and large-headed shrike boasts distinctive white wing patches. Young individuals display a lighter gray hue with a scaly pattern. It inhabits open landscapes dotted with shrubs and trees, favoring aged orchards for perching, while opting for acacia savannas during migration periods. Its melodic repertoire encompasses an intricate medley of warbles, whistles, rasps, and imitations, culminating in extended sequences of sharp, arid calls.