[Sumit]

Hi,
Reading Seyed's interesting shrike post, I was reminded of a bird which I had photographed in October 2004. It may well be a Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus cristatus), a common winter visitor to Kolkata city in eastern India. But, I was never comfortable with the ID because of features like head shape, bill size, supercilum (or lack of it) and the light plumage. A confirmation would be really excellent.
Local winter visitors to the area include Lanius cristatus lucionensis and the resident shrike species is the tricolor ssp. of Long-tailed Shrike.
Thanks and regards,
Sumit

[sphinx79]

Interesting. Looks very pale for Brown Shrike and not quite right structurally. I'd expect a stouter bill and more bullish-looking head for Brown. The tail also looks rather square-tipped, while Brown Shrike has a heavily graduated tail. I reckon it's an Isabelline Shrike, but which race?

First-winters are very hard to assign to race. My guess, based on the very sandy colouration and weak eye-mask is arenarius. But to be honest it's only a guess. Tim and others will no doubt be able to provide some good input.

Regards

Greg

[Sumit]

Originally Posted by sphinx79

Interesting. Looks very pale for Brown Shrike and not quite right structurally. I'd expect a stouter bill and more bullish-looking head for Brown. The tail also looks rather square-tipped, while Brown Shrike has a heavily graduated tail. I reckon it's an Isabelline Shrike, but which race?

First-winters are very hard to assign to race. My guess, based on the very sandy colouration and weak eye-mask is arenarius. But to be honest it's only a guess. Tim and others will no doubt be able to provide some good input.

Regards

Greg

Thanks Greg!
There are only scattered records Lanius isabellinus from eastern India though it is a common winter visitor to the north-western part of the country. It would be interesting to get more views on the bird. As far as I am concerned it is very unusual for a Brown Shrike to look like this (and I see lots!) but I am fairly low on experience with l.isabellinus.
Regards,
Sumit