Is it a bird? Is it Zorro? The dark mask over the long-tailed shrike's eyes make it stand out and have long made it a favourite among bird lovers. The bird is also good at imitating other winged creatures: it likes to stand on tree tops or wires, mimicking the chirping of other birds. And it is swift when hunting for prey: flying in to capture large insects, rodents, small birds and lizards, before devouring them in a method called sit-and-wait predation.
Here are some photos of a long-tailed shrike captured by a CGTN Nature filming crew in Baisha Li Autonomous County in south China's Hainan Province.
Long-tailed shrikes are found mainly in scrub and open habitats. /Ding Qian
A long-tailed shrike with a Zorro-style mask. /Ding Qian
The species is widely distributed across Asia. /Ding Qian
About 'Go! Hainan' series:
Featuring unspoiled tropical rainforests, sandy beaches and a rich culture, Hainan Province is the southernmost island province of China. Nicknamed "China's Hawaii," Hainan is on its way to becoming a free trade port. The "Go! Hainan" livestream series takes you on a new journey to explore the fantastic island and its underwater world.
For more:
Nanwan Monkey Island: The only island nature reserve protecting macaques in the world
Daidai: An island to free your mind from all troubles
Common lantana: A colorful plant that brightens any day
Hainan Eld's deer: One of the rarest deer species in China
(Cover image designed by CGTN's Yu Peng)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)