Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides (prev. L. isabellinus phoenicuroides)

Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike
The Turkestan Shrike used to be considered a subspecies of the Isabelline (see link below) but is now treated as a full species. Photos on this page taken by Alexandra Makhnina in Kazakhstan.
Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike
The Turkestan Shrike breeds in northern China, Mongolia, southeast Kazakhstan to the northern Himalayas and winters in India/Arabia/East Africa. Compared to the Isabelline, the Turkestan has darker, more rufous upper parts which contrast far more with the pale, sometimes white, face, chest and belly. The supercilium is white. Scalloping on young is also darker with more contrast. The tail is always red.
Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike
Turkestan Shrike female. Like the Isabelline, the Turkestan has a grey-crowned, grey-backed subspecies with red tail: L. i. karelini.

The Shrike and the Buzzard

Buzzard and Shrike
Buzzard and Shrike
Buzzard and Shrike
This Turkestan Shrike had an encounter with a Buzzard. Photos again thanks to Alexandra Makhnina.
Buzzard and Shrike
Buzzard and Shrike
Buzzard and Shrike
Fortunately the buzzard was just passing through.
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