Common name: Red-tailed Shrike
Scientific name: Lanius phoenicuroides
Family: Laniidae

Size:
Body length: 17–19 cm
Wingspan: 26–30 cm
Weight: 25–35 g

Identification:
A medium-sized shrike with a pale sandy to greyish body and a distinctive rufous-red tail. The head is usually grey with a bold black mask through the eye, and the underparts are pale, sometimes with a faint pinkish wash. The contrast between the pale body and the reddish tail is a key feature. The bill is hooked, typical of shrikes.

Habitat:
Open habitats such as scrublands, desert edges, agricultural fields, and semi-arid landscapes with scattered perches.

Status in the UAE:
Passage migrant. Regularly recorded during spring and autumn migration in suitable habitats.

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

Behavior:
Often seen perched prominently on shrubs, wires, or fences, scanning for prey. Hunts by swooping down to capture prey and may impale it on thorns or sharp objects. Usually solitary during migration. Alert and territorial in suitable stopover areas.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)