Kenya IDs #2 (1 Viewer)

R

RichardP

Well-known member

• Mar 21, 2020

• #1

Two Shrikes from Ol Donyo in the Chyulu Hills.

Is the first Isabelline?

The others seem to be plain grey on the head and back, and no separation between the black eye stripe and the grey crown?

 

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the_kenyanbirder

Mustafa Adamjee

• Mar 21, 2020

• #2

The first one does look like an Isabelline more than a Red-backed. The second one should be a Lesser Gray Shrike.

 

dwatsonbirder

Well-known member

• Mar 21, 2020

• #3

1st bird looks like adult female red backed, not sure that the second bird is a Lesser grey, looks like a good candidate for kobylini Red backed shrike.

 

tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Mar 21, 2020

• #4

Isabelline for first, second looks hybrid between phoenicuroides and collurio to me

 

R

RichardP

Well-known member

• Mar 23, 2020

• #5

Thanks for all the ideas - having had another close look at all the photos, and considering the time of year, and all the other sightings that were around, I'll put it down as a probable kobylini

 

dwatsonbirder

Well-known member

• Mar 23, 2020

• #6

Did you have any more pictures of the latter bird please Richard? kobylini photos are hard to come by, so any showing extent of grey nape/mantle and rump would be really helpful!

 

Jean FRANCOIS

Well-known member

• Mar 25, 2020

• #7

RichardP said:

'll put it down as a probable kobylini

Click to expand...

I asked the author of the book "Shrikes-A guide to the Shrikes of the world" for his opinion.
He thinks it's a hybrid collurio x phoenicuroides.
He also tells me : "Mixed couples are regular in at least three geographic areas"
Jean

 

dwatsonbirder

Well-known member

• Mar 25, 2020

• #8

Thanks Jean, I certainly bow to those with far superior knowledge than I can hope to attain, but I wondered if the OP had additional photos (showing the mantle) which lead him to agree with kobylini? I'd still be interested in seeing those, if for no other reason than broadening my knowledge.
A question to both yourself and Tom, what features did you use to ID it please?

 

tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Mar 25, 2020

• #9

dwatsonbirder said:

Thanks Jean, I certainly bow to those with far superior knowledge than I can hope to attain, but I wondered if the OP had additional photos (showing the mantle) which lead him to agree with kobylini? I'd still be interested in seeing those, if for no other reason than broadening my knowledge.
A question to both yourself and Tom, what features did you use to ID it please?

Click to expand...

nice grey had almost as in Red-backed but mantle colour wrong and tail mixture of black and redish

 

Jean FRANCOIS

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2020

• #10

dwatsonbirder said:

Thanks Jean, I certainly bow to those with far superior knowledge than I can hope to attain, but I wondered if the OP had additional photos (showing the mantle) which lead him to agree with kobylini? I'd still be interested in seeing those, if for no other reason than broadening my knowledge.
A question to both yourself and Tom, what features did you use to ID it please?

Click to expand...

The author of "Shrikes" asked, like Shirihai and Svensson (2018), believe that collurio is monotypical.
Jean

 

dwatsonbirder

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2020

• #11

Thanks both, appreciate you taking the time to reply.

 

R

RichardP

Well-known member

• Mar 28, 2020

• #12

No further photos

Daniel - Sorry - I don't have any further photos of this particular bird.

Having just caught up with the further discussion, like you, I am happy to accept the expert opinion.

Richard