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Masked Shrike

Lanius nubicus
Laniidae Low risk

The masked shrike is a species of bird in the shrike family, Laniidae. It breeds in southeastern Europe and at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, with a separate population in eastern Iraq and western Iran. It is migratory, wintering mainly in northeast Africa. Although it is a short-range migrant, vagrants have occurred widely elsewhere, including northern and western Europe. It is the smallest member of its genus, long-tailed and with a hooked bill. The male has mainly black upperparts, with white on its crown, forehead and supercilium and large white patches on the shoulders and wings. The throat, neck sides and underparts are white, with orange flanks and breast. The female is a duller version of the male, with brownish black upperparts and a grey or buff tone to the shoulders and underparts. The juvenile has grey-brown upperparts with a paler forehead and barring from the head to rump, barred off-white underparts and brown wings аpart from the white primary patches. The species' calls are short and grating, but the song has melodic warbler-like components.

Summary from Wikipedia

Hear it on xeno-canto Community recordings — opens xeno-canto →

In Türkiye

Seasonal status
Summer visitor

Arrives in spring and leaves in autumn; winter records are almost absent.

Most records in May–August.

Where it stands out
AntalyaMuğlaMersinIspartaAdana

Provinces where it makes up the largest share of bird records.

Records by month

Adjusted for how many birdwatchers are out each month; the busiest month = 100%.

6,662 records from Türkiye · #141 of 634 species by number of records. Source: GBIF.org (October 2026). All birds of Türkiye

At a glance

Family
Laniidae
Group
Perching Birds
Conservation status
Low risk

The masked shrike is the smallest, most elegant shrike, black-white-and-orange, breeding in warm oak woods and orchards.

Similar birds

All birds

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