The Grey-backed Shrike has a grey back, a black facial mask, and a chestnut tail. It breeds at high elevations, and winter movements differ between subspecies.
Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dark grey back, a black mask through the eye, and a chestnut tail. The sexes look similar. Juveniles are browner and finely barred.
It mainly catches insects such as moths and grasshoppers, waiting on a perch in grass, bushes, or trees. It may also take small vertebrates.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.