Orange-breasted or Grey-headed Bush-Shrike??? (1 Viewer)

Hanko von Schlichting

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #1

Hello,
I recently took this slightly unimpressive photo in the Kruger Park, South Africa, but was still hoping to identify this bird, even though the head can't exactly be seen. I've narrowed it down to either the Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike or the Grey-headed Bush-Shrike. (I'm leaning toward the latter).

Your help would be much appreciated!

 

Attachments

• 
  IMG_3980.JPG

  37.4 KB · Views: 58

Coronatus

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #2

Without doubt Orange-breasted.
Nice photo by the way.

 

Hanko von Schlichting

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #3

Thanks so much! What did you use for identification? The reason I was leaning toward Grey-headed was the longer-looking bill.

 

Coronatus

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #4

Basically the "Jizz" and appearance. Also the bill is smaller and sharper! Like the saying goes, you will know it when you see it. GH is a much more massive looking bird. Did you by any chance hear the call?

 

Hanko von Schlichting

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #5

Wonderful! Thanks so much! I'm afraid I didn't. I'm still getting used to listening to the calls.

 

Andy Hurley

Gotta love nature!

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Aug 4, 2015

• #6

From this angle it is far from certain in my humble opinion. I saw both in June and without a head view it is not easy to tell. Grey-headed has got a longer and slightly thinner bill and in my photos, the orange goes deeper onto the chest. If I had to choose, I would tend towards Grey-headed.

Are the lores white?

Welcome to Birdforum Hanko

 

Last edited: Aug 4, 2015

Larry Sweetland

Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'

• Aug 4, 2015

• #7

For me this isn't as easy as it ought to be, thanks to the angle! Grey-headed has a massive bill compared to Orange-breasted when seen laterally, but what about from directly below like this? The bill looks quite long to me too, suggesting maybe it could be Grey-headed. I'm on the fence.

 

Coronatus

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #8

<but what about from directly below like this?>
Yeah! Why do Field guides never show from this angle which is how we often see them? Does anyone know what colour the undertail should be?
I still go with my first 'call' as when I saw the photo nothing else came to mind as it looks just like the OBs I have seen often. Only seen a GH once but never forgotten its 'massive' build.

 

dacol

Well-known member

• Aug 4, 2015

• #9

I am leaning towards Grey-headed Bushshrike too. Based on length of bill, the bit of light grey that appears on side of head that reminds of the light grey lores of GHB, and the underside of the tail. Compare with these photos:
Orange-breasted
Grey-headed

 

Last edited: Aug 4, 2015

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Aug 4, 2015

• #10

GH Bushshrike for me too

 

Coronatus

Well-known member

• Aug 5, 2015

• #11

OK. I did some research into photographs on ABC site. Hope the link works.
http://www.africanbirdclub.org/afbid/search_bottom.php?func=searchresult&af_bs_id=2000
Then check SB pics.
Under tail colour is similar so no help there.