Shrikes of the World (Helm Identification Guides)

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Shrikes ( / ʃ r aɪ k/) are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. The family is composed of 34 species in two genera. Atkinson, Eric C. (1997). "Singing for Your Supper: Acoustical Luring of Avian Prey by Northern Shrikes". The Condor. Oxford University Press (OUP). 99 (1): 203–206. doi: 10.2307/1370239. ISSN 0010-5422.

Shrikes of the World by Norbert Lefranc, Tim Worfolk Shrikes of the World by Norbert Lefranc, Tim Worfolk

This is a second edition of Norbert Lefranc's Shrikes, fully updated from its 1997 predecessor. The introductory texts have been significantly expanded and six new sections have been added in the species accounts: vagrancy, foraging behaviour, breeding success, population trends, conservation and taxonomic notes. Special attention has been given to the latest developments in shrike systematics, not forgotten by the DNA revolution.

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The identification of ‘classic’ homeyeri rests largely on the amount of white in the secondaries and spread tail but is hampered by the significant individual, age and sex-related and geographical variation both within this subspecies and within excubitor. Two broad plumage types of the latter are recognised – a darker morph with white restricted to the primaries (most prevalent in the northern part of the range and formerly given the name ‘ melanopterus’) and a paler morph with white extending onto the secondaries (most prevalent in France and Germany and forrmerly given the name ‘ galliae’). This latter type may approach homeyeri in appearance, as, might excubitor/ homeyeri intergrades. Nominate peregrinus breeds in Britain. No other subspecies is currently on the British List though an old pre-BBRC specimen record of anatum has been reviewed and rejected (Harrop 2004). However, calidus doubtless occurs, possibly with some regularity, and tundrius has also been suspected. The latter is clearly a potential vagrant, having reached Iceland on at least two occasions. For the British birder, where every shrike species is sadly now at least a scarcity and some are extreme rarities, their allure is all the more intense. Each one tends to be a popular fixture, and their often-confident nature means they can be highly photogenic, as well as entertaining to watch. For example, many birders will point to the famous Steppe Grey Shrike in north Lincolnshire in November 2008, which used to perch on the gathered crowd’s cameras and telescopes, as one of their most memorable birding encounters on home shores.

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Identification is not always clear-cut. There is considerable individual and sex-related variation in both subspecies whilst intergradation between alba and guttata means that only darker guttata (predominantly females) are safely diagnosable and paler guttata may be overlooked. The key features are uniformly deep buff underparts extending to the tarsi, undertail coverts and underwing coverts, extensive dark grey hues in the upperparts and dark areas around the eyes (French 2009). The subspecies aesalon is a regular breeder and winter visitor in Britain, subaesalon occurring as a migrant and in winter. An old pre-BBRC specimen record of nominate columbarius has been reviewed and rejected but the subspecies has now been readmitted to the British List on the basis of a bird in Caithness in February 2018 . There is also a record of this subspecies from Ireland in September 2000 ( http://www.irbc.ie/reports/irbr/2007_IRBR.pdf). The subspecies pallidus has also been claimed in Britain.American Bird Conservancy and our Joint Venture partners have improved conservation management on 6.4 million acres of U.S. bird habitat — an area larger than the state of Maryland — over the last ten years. This is a monumental undertaking, requiring the support of many, and you can help by making a gift today. Parkin, D. T. & Knox, A. G. 2010. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. Christopher Helm, London. Nominate apus is a very common breeder in Britain. The subspecies pekinensis is not on the British List although it is a potential vagrant and has occasionally been suspected (Kehoe 2006).

Shrikes Unique? Spiked Snacks, Shrieking Calls + More What Makes Shrikes Unique? Spiked Snacks, Shrieking Calls + More

a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2023). "Shrikes, vireos, shrike-babblers". IOC World Bird List Version 13.2. International Ornithologists' Union . Retrieved 23 July 2023. As currently constituted the family contains 34 species in four genera. It includes the genus Eurocephalus with the two white-crowned shrikes. [5] A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2023 found that the white-crowned shrikes were more closely related to the crows in the family Corvidae than they are to the Laniidae and authors proposed that the genus Eurocephalus should be moved to its own family Eurocephalidae. The cladogram below is based on these results: [6] The identification of minor is not straightforward though it shows on average more well-streaked breast-sides and flanks than comminutus. However, these features are subject to variation. Biometrics are useful, minor being larger and longer-winged than comminutus. Glutz von Blotzheim, U. N. & Bauer, K. M. 1993. Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas 13/III. Wiesbaden. The taxonomy of the ‘Great Grey Shrikes’ is in a state of considerable flux and at least six potential species have been identified though not formally proposed (Olsson et al. 2010). Pending further work, IOC currently defines Great Grey Shrike as comprising twelve subspecies, of which ten inhabit North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia and have been treated by many authors as ‘Southern Grey Shrike’. A further five North Asian and Nearctic taxa are treated by IOC as a separate species – ‘Northern Shrike’.The texts for each species include an introduction, detailed subsections on identification (including field identification, voice and a fuller description), geographic variation, moult and biometrics, as well as population movements and vagrancy. Each species is accompanied by a series of photos depicting plumage variation and at least one range map.

Shrikes of the World : Norbert Lefranc : 9781472933775 Shrikes of the World : Norbert Lefranc : 9781472933775

The subspecies britannicus is very common in Britain. The status of nominate ater in Britain is, however, somewhat obscure but its occurrence here has been confirmed by ringing recoveries (Wernham et al. 2002). It is perhaps best regarded as a scarce, irruptive migrant and may even have bred on Scilly in the late 1970s (Kehoe 2006, Parkin & Knox 2010). The subspecies hibernicus is presumably a potential vagrant. The subspecies anglicus is common in Britain. Otherwise only nominate major is on the British List, this migratory and irruptive subspecies being a scarce migrant here. By contrast, pinetorum is largely sedentary although its occurrence in Britain has been suspected (Kehoe 2006). Nash, M. 2012. Great Grey Shrikes at Fakenham and Felbrigg. Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011. Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society. Common Swift comprises two subspecies – nominate apus across the Western Palearctic and northern Russia and pekinensis (‘Eastern Common Swift’) from Iran to Mongolia and northern China (Cramp et al. 1985). a b Clancey, P.A. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. p.180. ISBN 1-85391-186-0.The subspecies soemmerringii is therefore clearly a potential vagrant and may already be occurring. However, variation within monedula and intergradation between monedula and soemmerringii make confident diagnosis of the latter in a vagrant context problematic. Crouzier, P, Duquet, M, Noël, F & CHN 1999. Le Choucas des tours Corvus monedula de la subspecies orientale soemmerringii en France: le point après 3 ans d’enquête. Ornithos 6: 178-182.