What's this shrike? (1 Viewer)

[Dominic]

Hi,

I found this shrike in Israel (21st October, 2007). I put it down to Steppe Grey Shrike (L. pallidirostris) but there's some controversy over id. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get any shots of its back or wings (large white wing patch) or note any details of primary projection. Next time . . . .

I thought Steppe grey due to paler lores, bill colour and shape, pale forehead.

all suggestions welcome!

cheers,

Dominic

 

[J Moss]

1st winter Lesser Grey Shrike? Prim. projection looks fairly long, and the bill fairly stout.

Jason

 

[Ian Hamiltan]

i tend to agree with jason

 

[Dominic]

Thanks Ian, Jason, I appreciate your input. I thought was too late in the year for LG in Israel (could be wrong) and it had too much of a wing patch - check out the steppe grey on http://www.hawar-islands.com/blog/14_stub.php/2007/01/

This is a real stumper for me. . . .

 

[marklhawkes]

Dominic - I agree with your initial thoughts. Appears to be a Southern Grey Shrike, probably a pallidirostis - Steppe Shrike

 

[PhilW]

For what its worth I think it's 1st winter Lesser Grey from what can be seen from the photographs. It does appear to have a long primary projection and stout bill. However, as Dominic has pointed out, we can't see all the bird! 1st winter pallidirostris would have pale lores but I'm still concerned by that primary projection......................

 

[lostinjapan]

I don't think it is a Lesser Grey Shrike, but rather a 'pallidrostris' Steppe Grey Shrike for a number of reasons

1) It does have pale lores as far as i can see

2) The bill seems too chunky and too pale for Lesser

3) Personally can't see anything from the photos that suggests it has long primary projection

4) Seems very long tailed, better for Steppe Grey Shrike

5) Seems to have a large white wing patch in photos

6) Appears to show white between mantle and coverts.

Just my two-penneth

Sean

 

[marklhawkes]

.... and the pale bill?

 

[CAU]

I agree completely with Sean, and want to add that pallidirostris has a longer primary projection than the other species of the Great Grey Shrike group:

http://www.tarsiger.com/images/komi/lan_pal_001_0219.jpg

The PP isn't that visible in the photo, but too me it doesn't look at all bad for Steppe. Edit: I don't know that much about the other Great Grey Shrike taxons in the area, but at least the bird doesn't look like a Lesser Grey Shrike...

 

[Ghostly Vision]

Steppe grey. Certainly not Lesser grey.

Sean

 

[Birdbox]

Definitely not LG Shrike.

 

[Dominic]

Thanks for all the comments. Very useful indeed. It's not an easy one is it?

The difficulty in getting good pics was that it either stayed quite deep in the shrub or flew quickly to c. 100 m away (before returning equally quickly to the shrub).

 

[SJC]

Another vote for Steppe Grey Shrike.