Common name: Isabelline Shrike (Rufous-tailed Shrike)
Scientific name: Lanius isabellinus
Family: Laniidae

Size:
Body length: 16–18 cm
Wingspan: 24–27 cm
Weight: 25–35 g

Identification:
A slim, pale shrike with sandy-buff to warm brown plumage. It shows a distinct black mask through the eye, contrasting with a pale supercilium. The underparts are pale, often with a faint warm tone, while the tail is noticeably rufous, especially in flight. The bill is hooked, typical of shrikes, adapted for predation.

Habitat:
Open habitats such as scrublands, deserts, agricultural fields, and semi-arid landscapes with scattered bushes or perches.

Status in the UAE:
Common passage migrant and winter visitor. Widely recorded in open habitats.

Status in Lebanon:
Passage migrant and winter visitor. Occurs in suitable open landscapes.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on insects, small birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Behavior:
Often seen perched prominently on bushes, wires, or fences, scanning for prey. Hunts by swooping down and may impale prey on thorns or sharp objects. Usually solitary. Known for its alert posture and efficient hunting behavior.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)