Common name: Steppe Grey Shrike
Scientific name: Lanius pallidirostris
Family: Laniidae

Size:
Body length: 24–26 cm
Wingspan: 30–36 cm
Weight: 60–75 g

Identification:
A large shrike with a pale grey overall appearance and a strong black facial mask extending through the eye. The upperparts are pale grey, while the underparts are whitish with a faint buff tone. The wings are black with a noticeable white patch visible in flight. The tail is long with white outer feathers. Compared to similar shrikes, it appears paler and more robust, with a heavier bill.

Habitat:
Open deserts, gravel plains, agricultural fields, semi-arid scrublands, and open country with scattered perches.

Status in the UAE:
Passage migrant and winter visitor. Regularly recorded in desert and agricultural habitats across the country.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on insects, lizards, small birds, and rodents.

Behavior:
Typically hunts from elevated perches such as shrubs, fences, or wires. Watches for prey before swooping down to capture it. Like other shrikes, it may impale prey on thorns or barbed wire for storage. Usually solitary and highly territorial during winter.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)