I took few pictures of Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) in north-east Poland in June'09.
It have tail patern of eastern subspecies of GGS - homeyeri. Another features indicate on homeyeri are:
- a lot of white on primaries and secondaries with white tips on it
Problem is:
-lack of white uppertail coverts/rump (they are only slighty paler then back)
-lack white panels on scapulars
-and head patern (with indistinct supercilium).
This bird is probably breeding there. My questions are:
- is it Lanius excubitor homeyeri or not?
- does the lack white parts on upperparts could depend on worn of that feathers? (complet post-breeding molt start in July)
- is it adult?
I would be most grateful for help.
Lukas Krajewski, Poland
It have tail patern of eastern subspecies of GGS - homeyeri. Another features indicate on homeyeri are:
- a lot of white on primaries and secondaries with white tips on it
Problem is:
-lack of white uppertail coverts/rump (they are only slighty paler then back)
-lack white panels on scapulars
-and head patern (with indistinct supercilium).
This bird is probably breeding there. My questions are:
- is it Lanius excubitor homeyeri or not?
- does the lack white parts on upperparts could depend on worn of that feathers? (complet post-breeding molt start in July)
- is it adult?
I would be most grateful for help.
Lukas Krajewski, Poland