Rufous-Tailed Shrike (female)

Description:

Shrikes are also known as butcher-birds because of their habit of impaling prey on spikes and thorns. These predatory birds have strong hooked beaks, not too dissimilar from raptors. The Rufous-Tailed Shrike has a characteristic dark mask on the face which is more prevalent on the males than on the female (pictured here). The name comes from the reddish brown coloration on the upside of the tail (again more prevalent on the males).