Shrike ID - Skanes, Tunisia (1 Viewer)

[derekg]

I've just got back from Tunisia where I saw several examples of this Shrike which I first identified as a Great Grey Shrike - Lanius algeriensis after browsing through my Collins bird guide. After posting some photos on my blog I recieved an email from a friend suggesting it may be a Southern Grey Shrike. Not having a dedicated Shrike book I thus turned to the internet and am now stumped as the 2 species look very similar at least to my eyes so any help in identifying the shrike and pointing out the difference between the 2 species will be gratefully recieved. (more photos of the Shrike are on my blog)

Derek

 

[James Lidster]

This does look like an algeriensis grey Shrike, earlier they were considered a subspecies of Great grey Shrike, then Southern Grey Shrike (which included the North African forms) was split from Great Grey, and now the birds of central Asia and North Africa might be split again and called Desert Grey Shrike...
All very confusing but the ID of your bird as algeriensis is the key thing, based on the lack of white above the dakr mask, dark plumage (and location)
Cheers
James

 

[derekg]

Thanks James,

I'm glad I finally made the right call

Derek