Common in ones and twos just about anywhere, from desert to woodland, but particularly around gardens. Sits on posts, mail boxes, hops on the ground and chases anything that dares come into its territory. Gray and relatively nondescript, in flight large white wing patches bring it alive. Flight is direct but with very deep languid wingbeats. Often feeds on the ground by jerkily opening its wings, like images from an old movie, perhaps confusing its potential prey. A singer with a big voice that has driven my wife mad (and I’m sure many others) as it endlessly goes on at any time of night or day. A great mimic of local birds, notes are usually in batches of 2–4. Call a ‘chak.’ ID: Robin-length with a long tail and smaller rounded body. Pale gray upperparts with buff underparts, it can look brownish. Black eyeline, white wing bars, and white outer tail feathers stand out on an otherwise bland bird. Juv plumage, held briefly, is duller with spots on breast.