Laniidae, Oriolidae, Dicruridae
Shrikes, Orioles, Drongos
Shrikes are medium-sized birds with grey, brown, or black and white plumage. They are known for their habit of catching insects and small vertebrates and impaling their bodies on thorns, the spikes on barbed-wire fences, or any available sharp point. This helps them to tear the flesh into smaller, more conveniently sized fragments, and serves as a cache so that the shrike can return to the uneaten portions at a later time. Oriole males are typically black and vibrant yellow or orange with white markings, females and immature birds duller. They are generally slender with long tails and a pointed bill and mainly eat insects, but also enjoy nectar and fruit. Drongos are mostly black or dark grey, short-legged birds, with an upright stance when perched. They have forked tails and some have elaborate tail decorations.
