Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurio

The *Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)* breeds across southern Britain eastward to Scandinavia and into Russia and Siberia south to parts of the Middle East and Mediterranean area as well as northern Africa. The species winters in southern Africa. The shots here were taken near Pietersburg, Limpopo Province, South Africa, in January, 2006 with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II & EF 500mm F/4L IS lens and 1.4X extender. Wintering Red-backed Shrikes were extremely common in many locations in South Africa on this particular trip.