A passage migrant and winter visitor which has only recently been officially recognised as a species in its own right. It is very closely related to the Red-backed Shrike, but is always a plainer, paler brown colour and often coloured with an apricot wash on the underside. Males have a black mask from bill to eye, and this is either reduced or lacking in females. Its habits and habitats are similar to the Red-backed Shrike.
