A delicate-looking long-tailed shrike with striking black-and-white plumage. The male has a rich rusty breast and sides. Female like male but duller, with juvenile grayer and more barred on the upperparts and sides. Often pumps long tail. Forages mainly on arthropods, which it locates from prominent perches. Breeds in a range of wooded habitats, from Mediterranean scrub to open forests and overgrown orchards. During migration, can be seen in various habitats, including gardens and arid zones. Often favors more densely vegetated habitats than other shrikes. Gives a dry “tchrtchrtchr.”