The Isabelline Shrike is a bird species. The word “Isabelline” originated from this bird’s name!
The isabelline shrike (Lanius isabellinus) belongs to the family of shrikes, the Laniidae.
Isabelline Shrike is habitat specific, like this one (Lanius isbellinus) which prefers arid scrubland & Grassland, it has been split now from the Red-tailed Shrike and shows different colouration on head and tail. Isabelline, also known as Isabella, is a pale grey-yellow, pale fawn, pale cream-brown, sandy or parchment colour, often used to describe plumage in birds like Isabelline Shrike, Wheatear etc.
The isabelline shrike species is distributed in Mongolia, Russia, China, India, Arabian peninsula, Africa, Persian gulf and Pakistan. The plumage of these shrike species is isabelline (sandy color). These shrikes are polytypic species.
These isabelline shrike species are migratory birds. The breeding populations in the northern ranges migrate southwards in September-October. The return migration to the breeding grounds occurs in early summer.
Autumn in India occurs from September to October and brings stunning warm shades of yellow and orange to nature. Colourful falling leaves, cool weather and the vibrant festivals accentuate the subcontinent’s beauty and truly is a season of joy.
K. Shiva Kumar. Wildlife Storyteller
These rare photographs have been clicked and contributed by K. Shiva Kumar, a professional Wildlife Storyteller (M.A in Journalism & Mass Communication, an alumnus of Central University Of Odisha, Koraput) from Hyderabad, Telangana.
K. Shiva, is passionate about wildlife conservation. Through his work, he hopes to inspire greater appreciation for the wildlife that shares our planet and encourages conservation action.Â
