Happy Onam-Bay Backed Shrike

[Roopak Gangadharan]

Some call it the Butcher Bird,… may be becaues it is a relentless Hunter or because some say it kills more than he needs, most likely because it hangs worms on the thorns of the Trees near its nest for later.

We call it “Asurakili” literally the Demon Bird, not a demeaning name in a land where we are all celebrating the home coming of the Demon king (Mahabali)….. Happy Onam to all of you at Indiawilds.

Calicut outskirts- shot in very low light conditions.

500D, 55-250, 250mm, F5.6, 1/40, ISO 800

[Mrudul Godbole]

Happy Onam!!

The perch and the eye contact is nice. Wish the light would have been better. Thanks for sharing.

[Dr. Kalpamoi Kakati]

Would have been a great shot if the light was good.Better luck next time :)

Dr Kakati

[Bibhav Behera]

Happy Onam to you as well Roopak. :)
I like the composition. I guess it is called the butcher bird due to the fact that it sticks its prey on thorns like you mentioned.
Some more details in the image would have been great. Thanks for sharing.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Happy Onam Roopak!

This is a beautiful bird. I won't call it Asura (demon) :-)

I like the eye contact. I wish you get it in good light and close to you. In bharatpur I got one very close. In fact, I had to step backwards to get it beyond the minimum focussing distance.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Praveen Siddannavar]

Happy Onam Roopak! Nice image the eye contact is good, agree about the light.
tfs