Red-backed Shrike Lanius oollurio 
Variation is clinal with all but ex¬ 
treme eastern subspecies wintering 
in Africa. In addition to northern 
and western Eurasian birds(east to 
Urals), which are probably commonest 
on passage in the eastern Mediterran¬ 
ean, Caucasian and Iranian subspecies 
(kobytini) have been recorded. 
Habitat: Isolated small trees and 
bushes in open country and edges of 
woods. Occurs in plains and mountain 
under mesic to near desert conditions 
