Daurian Shrike or Isabelline Shrike at Pendeen Cornwall UK

Daurian Shrike or Isabelline Shrike at Pendeen Cornwall UK The Isabelline Shrike or Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) is a member of the shrike family. It was previously considered conspecific with the Red-backed Shrike and Red-tailed Shrike. This migratory medium-sized passerine eats large insects, small birds, rodents and lizards. Like other shrikes it hunts from prominent perches, and impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a larder. It breeds in open cultivated country, preferably with thorn bushes. The plumage is isabelline, the sandy colour which gives rise to its name. It has a red tail. Young birds can be distinguished from young Red-backed Shrikes by the much sparser vermiculations on the underparts. Filmed on 7th October 2013 Video Produced by Paul Dinning - Wildlife in Cornwall