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Fiscal Shrike (western race)
You may have heard me complaining that I never spot anything rare. In fact, "Newman's Birds of Southern Africa" qualifies every bird in any of my pictures as "common", "fairly common" or "very common". Now, this Fiscal Shrike is not exactly a rarity either (it's other name is actually "Common Fiscal"), but at least I found it to belong to a "western race", distinct by that lovely white eyebrow. So at least it is a little bit special.

Talking 'bout lovely eyebrows: I totally agree that the beauty of a bird is not in its rarity.
Habitat
Desert
Location
Auob Valley, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa
Date taken
4th May, 2013
Scientific name
Lanius collaris subcoronatus
Equipment used
Nikon D7100 + AF-S 2.8/80-200 + TC14E
Wow what a beautiful bird. It looks kind of like the Chick-a-dee here in South Carolina. What state is this? Or Country if not state.
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
This is a smokin' closeup of this beautiful Shrike Ralph!
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
You've a super picture of this fiscal Ralph. I've presumed you saw it in South Africa? But please let me know if I got that wrong.

I can't find any reference on line to the "Western Race" and am wondering if it is subspecies subcoronatus?

As it is so different to the other pictures in The Opus, I would be grateful if you could confirm that, so I can label him properly when I add this super picture to The Opus article.

Very well done lad - excellent work.
 
Hi Delia,

thanks for your kind words. South Africa is correct.

As for the subspecies, you probably know MUCH more about all this than I do. Newman's book refers to a "western race" having a white eyebrow, and his illustration matches my little bird here, but the book does not state any subspecies. Google finds a couple of pictures for "Lanius collaris subcoronatus" featuring that same eyebrow, and there is a picture in worldbirdphotos explicitely stating the "subcoronatus" for a bird like mine, captured at Sesriem, Namibia. Different country, but roughly the same area. So, from the very little I know, your suggestion is very likely to be correct.

I'll adjust the species line accordingly. Thank you!

Best regards,
Ralph
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Thanks very much Ralph. At last I've now got round to uploading this lovely picture to the article.... been a bit busy over the holidays.

May I wish you and your family a very happy 2019.
 

Media information

Category
Africa
Added by
Ralph Timmermann
Date added
View count
69
Comment count
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