Great Grey Shrike. Always a dramatic sight, a Great Grey Shrike going about its business on a crisp winter's day can always be guaranteed to capture the attention of any birder. The bright lemon yellows, white and green tones brighten the dullest autumn day. The conservation status for this species is "not assessed' in the UK because it only occurs as a rare migrant, and is not globally threatened. Furthermore, although both species are declining in range and numbers, the red-backed shrike – which used to breed here and now visits just as the great grey is leaving – is virtually extinct as a UK breeding bird. The Red-backed Shrike was once a common bird across southern Britain, but has disappeared with the intensification of agricultural practices, though it is still seen on passage. In the UK, Isle of Man, and Ireland, the Great Grey Shrike is a rare winter visitor to England and Scotland. More on the Great Grey Shrike in the UK and its grisly method. It is most likely to occur in open fields with scattered trees. The great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) has been spotted on Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses.They’ll soon be returning to their Scandinavian breeding grounds, after spending the winter hunting over the Mosses. In the UK, Isle of Man, and Ireland, the Great Grey Shrike is a rare winter visitor to England and Scotland. Portrait of Great grey shrike perched on a thorny bush in the grasslands of Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan, India. T he Great Grey Shrike, Lanius excubitor, is a bird of prey with some rather nasty habits. A medium-sized bird, the great grey shrike is black and grey with a white underbelly, a black band across its eyes and a long tail. 'The Butcher Bird' in Britain. Regularly Occurring Species. Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Northwestern Rajasthan on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert; The Thar. Photos of Great Grey Shrike (RBA - the UK birders news service) The Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor is a widespread Holarctic species. It is most likely to occur in open fields with scattered trees. A black stripe below the eye produces an inevitably fierce expression, whilst distinctively short, broad wings and fairly lengthy tail are particularly noticeable in flight. This small grassland habitat is surrounded by sparse scrub and dry dusty plains peppered with salt pans. The conservation status for this species is "not assessed' in the UK because it only occurs as a rare migrant, and is not globally threatened. The great grey shrike, nicknamed the 'Butcher Bird', swoops upon his prey and kills them before spiking them on thorns to save for future meals, as seen in … Great grey shrike undersides are white, whilst the plumage above is primarily grey, splashed with black on wings and tail. 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