The red-backed shrike

Particularly partial to prairies scattered with hedges and bushes, both leafy and thorny, the red-backed shrike is easily recognised. The black band around its eyes gives it the look of a masked avenger. Despite its timid nature, it doesn’t mind being exposed atop a high perch, in search of its next meal. A migratory bird, this species lives in France from May to the end of August or mid-September and spends its winters in Africa.