Uncommon to locally fairly common summer migrant from winter grounds in Africa. Found in heathland, open farmland with hedges and scattered bushes, especially thorny plants on which prey (small birds, large insects, rodents) can be impaled in "larders." Hunts from perches atop bushes and on wires, but at other times is retiring and easily overlooked. Male distinctive, with blue-gray head, black mask, rusty-brown back; female has warm brown upperparts, fine dark scalloping on breast and flanks.