Ruddy-tailed Shrike — Borbash

Ruddy-tailed Shrike - a representative of the shrike family

Slightly larger than a sparrow (about 20 cm long, weighing around 30 g). The plumage is dominated by reddish and light tones. The shrike has a distinctive black stripe along its eyes; by the way, the eyes themselves are also dark, with the iris blending into the sclera. The beak is medium-sized, slightly curved, which is characteristic of all predators. The beak color is dark gray. Males are brighter than females.

The ruddy-tailed shrike lives in clearings, logging areas, and forest shelterbelts.

It carefully chooses a place to build its nest, prioritizing safety. This subspecies of bird prefers to nest at heights of up to 3,000 meters above sea level. A crucial factor in site selection is that shrikes choose dense bushes, thickets, and shrubs. The clutch consists of 5–6 spotted eggs.

The voice of the shrike cannot be called melodic. Its song consists of two words: "chek-chek." However, when the shrike senses danger, the "chek" becomes so menacing that it can scare off the enemy. Moreover, other shrikes will join in the frightening sounds, creating psychological pressure on the attacker. The shrike mimics the songs of various birds.

Despite being a bird with a non-massive body, the shrike is a true predator in pursuit of its prey.

It feeds on insects, and less frequently on lizards, chicks, and small mammals, which it sometimes decapitates and stores on branches for later. The dominant hunting method of the shrike is to sit motionless on a branch.

When the prey approaches, the bird grabs it with its beak.

It inhabits shrub thickets in the foothills of Kyrgyzstan.

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