Appearance: The Great Gray Shrike is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive black mask covering its eyes and extending down its sides of the throat. Its upperparts are predominantly gray, while the underparts are white with fine barring. Its wings are black with white patches, and its tail is also black with white outer feathers, making it easily recognizable in flight.

Habitat: In Morocco, the Great Gray Shrike can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, scrublands, grasslands, and agricultural areas. During the winter months, it often occupies more open habitats such as steppes and cultivated fields where it can hunt for prey.

Diet: The Great Gray Shrike is a predatory bird that feeds primarily on small vertebrates and insects. It hunts by perching on elevated vantage points such as trees, poles, or fences, from where it scans the surrounding area for prey. Once it spots a potential target, it swoops down to catch it and may impale it on thorns or barbed wire for later consumption.

Behavior: Great Gray Shrikes are known for their methodical hunting behavior and their habit of caching prey. They are solitary birds outside of the breeding season and may defend territories during the winter months when food resources are limited.

Breeding: Breeding typically occurs in the spring and summer months, with pairs establishing territories and building nests in trees or shrubs. The female lays a clutch of eggs, usually numbering between four to seven, and both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and caring for the young.

Conservation: The Great Gray Shrike is not considered globally threatened, but like many bird species, it may face habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and deforestation. Conservation efforts focused on habitat protection and management are important for ensuring the continued presence of this fascinating bird in Morocco and beyond.