Great Grey Shrike/Southern Grey Shrike

harryabbott · Tuesday 6th December 2005, 22:24

I got a pic this afternoon of what I thought was the Iberian version of the great Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis,. It is listed as having three particular characteristics
1) pinkish bloom underneath
2) White spot at the "hand"
3) A distinct white supercilium extending into a white forehead
These are all clearly visible on the bird I photographed today however on posting the pic it has been suggested that this should be called a Southern Grey Shrike I looked up the BF galleries to compare other pics of southern Grey Shrikes but the bird I have posted differs from others already posted as Southern Greys. Most notably my bird has a "distinct white forehead" which is not apparent on the Sothern Greys previously posted.
What should Lanius Meridionalis be called, an Iberian variant of the Great Grey Shrike or a Southern Grey Shrike?
I have attached pic of my bird and one of a Southern grey from a members gallery

Jane Turner · Tuesday 6th December 2005, 22:43

Your bird is a Southern Grey Shrike of the race meridionalis. The other bird is a Southern Grey Shrike of the race pallidirostris

Great Grey Shrike is Lanius excubitor

JANJ · Tuesday 6th December 2005, 22:53

Hi,

Your bird looks good for Southern Grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis)
http://www.fotodigiscoping.info/gale...20meridionalis

http://www.aerc.be/Laniusmeridionalis/index.htm

http://www.spainbirds.com/ing/decemb...alcaudones.htm

http://pdubois.free.fr/espece.php?MyEspece=LANMER

http://www.birdfoto.fsnet.co.uk/grey...onshrikes.html

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=33437

http://www.ornitaxa.com/SM/Split/SplitTrueShrikes.htm

The one you found in BF gallery is a Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris, observed in England.
JanJ

harryabbott · Tuesday 6th December 2005, 23:10

Thanks very much folks that has all been a great help.

Jane Turner · Tuesday 6th December 2005, 23:15

We haven't split Steppe as a species yet Jan... still part of the Southern Grey Shrike complex

JANJ · Wednesday 7th December 2005, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane Turner

We haven't split Steppe as a species yet Jan... still part of the Southern Grey Shrike complex

Yes, your right.
JanJ

sphinx79 · Wednesday 7th December 2005, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by JANJ

Yes, your right.
JanJ

Probably only a matter of time before they're split, though.

Greg

JANJ · Wednesday 7th December 2005, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphinx79

Probably only a matter of time before they're split, though.

Greg

Yes seems like it.
JanJ

Tuesday 6th December 2005, 22:24	#1
harryabbott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northern ireland and Andalucia Posts: 168	Great Grey Shrike/Southern Grey Shrike I got a pic this afternoon of what I thought was the Iberian version of the great Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis,. It is listed as having three particular characteristics 1) pinkish bloom underneath 2) White spot at the "hand" 3) A distinct white supercilium extending into a white forehead These are all clearly visible on the bird I photographed today however on posting the pic it has been suggested that this should be called a Southern Grey Shrike I looked up the BF galleries to compare other pics of southern Grey Shrikes but the bird I have posted differs from others already posted as Southern Greys. Most notably my bird has a "distinct white forehead" which is not apparent on the Sothern Greys previously posted. What should Lanius Meridionalis be called, an Iberian variant of the Great Grey Shrike or a Southern Grey Shrike? I have attached pic of my bird and one of a Southern grey from a members gallery Attached Thumbnails

Tuesday 6th December 2005, 22:43	#2
Jane Turner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hoylake, Merseyside Posts: 22,946 My location	Your bird is a Southern Grey Shrike of the race meridionalis. The other bird is a Southern Grey Shrike of the race pallidirostris Great Grey Shrike is Lanius excubitor __________________ Last Cheshire Pied Wheatear (313) last Red Rocks Subalpine Warbler (260), last Garden Bonaparte's Gull (209), last Self-found Citrine Wagtail (294) Last edited by Jane Turner : Tuesday 6th December 2005 at 22:46.
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Tuesday 6th December 2005, 23:15	#5
Jane Turner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hoylake, Merseyside Posts: 22,946 My location	We haven't split Steppe as a species yet Jan... still part of the Southern Grey Shrike complex __________________ Last Cheshire Pied Wheatear (313) last Red Rocks Subalpine Warbler (260), last Garden Bonaparte's Gull (209), last Self-found Citrine Wagtail (294)
	BF Supporter 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Support BirdForum With A Donation

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Tuesday 6th December 2005, 22:53	#3
JANJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 8,201	Hi, Your bird looks good for Southern Grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis) http://www.fotodigiscoping.info/gale...20meridionalis http://www.aerc.be/Laniusmeridionalis/index.htm http://www.spainbirds.com/ing/decemb...alcaudones.htm http://pdubois.free.fr/espece.php?MyEspece=LANMER http://www.birdfoto.fsnet.co.uk/grey...onshrikes.html http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=33437 http://www.ornitaxa.com/SM/Split/SplitTrueShrikes.htm The one you found in BF gallery is a Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris, observed in England. JanJ

Tuesday 6th December 2005, 23:10	#4
harryabbott Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northern ireland and Andalucia Posts: 168	Thanks very much folks that has all been a great help.