Great grey shrike

A medium-sized passerine bird from the shrike family. The largest European shrike, with the size of a blackbird (body length 21–26 cm). The upperparts are light grey, the underparts white, with a black mask, black wings, and a black tail. The white roots of the primary feathers create white markings on the wings. Both sexes have similar coloration; the underparts of young birds show some grey vermiculation. The great grey shrike is similar in appearance to the lesser grey shrike (which differs in size, has a shorter tail, a larger black eye-mask that extends to the forehead and frontal part of the crown, and a salmon-red coloration of the belly and breast). When watching for prey from an elevated position, it often flips its tail up and down or to the sides. During the hunt, it will often flutter on its perching point, reminiscent of the kestrel. Great grey shrikes fly fast, in a heavily undulating pattern. Their fairly quiet song, produced when perched, is composed of repeated trills, warbling, chirping and whistling tones.