Shrikes of the World (Helm Identification Guides)

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Olsson U., Alström P., Svensson L., Aliabadian M. & Sundberg P. 2010. The Lanius excubitor (Aves, Passeriformes) conundrum – Taxonomic dilemma when molecular and non-molecular data tell different stories. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55: 347-357.

Shrike - Wikipedia

Claims of badius are welcomed if accompanied by detailed notes and preferably photographs. Claims of first-year niloticus should be accompanied by photographs. Claims of adult niloticus are also welcomed but only trapped, measured and photographed birds are likely to gain acceptance. For any of these subspecies a ringing recovery would of course provide additional evidence. ( updated Oct 2018 AMS).The subspecies homeyeri (sometimes known as ‘Steppe Shrike’) breeds from south-east Europe through the Ural mountains into western Siberia. It is not on the British List but it has occurred in Sweden, Germany and Finland. Birds showing some homeyeri characters have been noted in Yorkshire and Norfolk ( http://birdingfrontiers.com/2010/12/15/sheffields-steppe-shrike-update/, Nash 2012). However, neither of these individuals showed the full suite of characters.

Shrikes of the World - Norbert Lefranc - Google Books Shrikes of the World - Norbert Lefranc - Google Books

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. Both nominate senator and badius are on the British List, the former a scarce migrant, the latter very rare with ten accepted records to date. The subspecies niloticus is not on the British List but is a potential vagrant.The subspecies calidus is not straightforward to identify as there is extensive character overlap with nominate peregrinus. Juveniles offer perhaps the best prospects, though only the palest birds will prove striking in the field. Separating the two Arctic subspecies is also problematic and categorisation as calidus/ tundrius (‘Arctic Peregrine’) might be the most appropriate treatment. Potential identification problems also include the elimination of other large falcon species, especially escaped birds from falconers/collections whose genetic make-up might be obscure. Biometrics are helpful, calidus being large compared to nominate peregrinus. 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. Wernham, C., Toms, M., Marchant, J., Clark, J., Siriwardena, G. & Baillie, S. (eds). 2002. The Migration Atlas: Movements of the Birds of Britain and Ireland. T. & A. D. Poyser, London.

Shrikes (Laniidae) of the World - NHBS The True Shrikes (Laniidae) of the World - NHBS

Claims of pekinensis are welcomed if accompanied by detailed notes and good photographs but only a ringing recovery from the core range is likely to confirm this subspecies in a vagrant context. ( updated Dec 2017 AMS).a b Clancey, P.A. (1991). Forshaw, Joseph (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Animals: Birds. London: Merehurst Press. p.180. ISBN 1-85391-186-0. 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 - Yale University Press Shrikes - Yale University Press

Following the nitty-gritty of shrike relationships, there are general yet truly detailed accounts of the two shrike genera, filled with rich descriptions of their history, morphology, migration, habitat, and more, and includes a particularly enjoyable section on their food storage behaviour, with suitably gruesome illustrations. The colour plates are simply spectacular, with the illustrations being almost photographic in their detail. The species accounts follow a set structure and include high quality photographs of the birds in the field, with maps clearly showing the known range and where there are some uncertainties. Claims of calidus and tundrius should include detailed notes and good photographs but on current knowledge it may not be possible to accept claims, even to the level of a subspecies pair. Biometrics (in respect of calidus) or details from a ringed or marked bird might be needed to prove an identification to subspecies. The issue of potential captive origin is also highly relevant in any claim of these subspecies. ( updated Dec 2017 AMS). Crested Tit comprises seven subspecies, of which four are of possible relevance here. The subspecies scoticus occurs in north-central Scotland, nominate cristatus (‘Northern Crested Tit’) in Scandinavia, eastern Europe and Russia, mitratus (‘Central European Crested Tit’) in central and western Europe and abadiei in north-west France (Cramp et al. 1993). The identification of pekinensis is not straightforward as it needs to be distinguished not just from nominate apus but also from three subspecies of Pallid Swift A. pallidus. Adult pekinensis may suggest a dark Pallid Swift with a relatively dark body and underwing coverts contrasting with a pale, ‘silvery’ innerwing and a large pale throat patch but it also shows a very clearly-defined white forehead and the rear body and tail structure of a Swift. The identification of juveniles is much more problematic. Firm identification features are not known, and field identification is probably impossible even with good views and photographs. Of course the difficulty of obtaining good views, the dramatically shifting appearance of plumage according to the light conditions and the difficulty of assessing structure and plumage even in good photographs all further complicate the identification of these swifts. Norbert Lefranc is a French ornithologist specialising in the ecology of shrikes. He has travelled all over the world in search of shrikes and other birds, publishing many papers and four books, including Les Pies-grièches d'Europe, d'Afrique du Nord et du Moyen-Orient (1993) and the first edition of the present book (1997). He worked as a biodiversity officer for the Ministry of Ecology in the 'Grand Est'. Now retired, he spends his time contributing to research and conservation actions led by NGOs, particularly by the Société d'Etudes Ornithologiques de France (SEOF) and the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO/Birdlife France).This long-awaited update to the acclaimed first edition is the definitive guide to a complex and intriguing family. The species accounts and taxonomic treatments have been fully revised in line with recent studies, and the all-new plates and photos complete this remarkable work. Highly recommended.' – Dominic Mitchell Claims of ‘classic’ soemmerringii (i.e. those considered to show characters beyond the range of monedula) are welcomed if accompanied by photographs but the admission of this subspecies to the British List without proof of origin in the form of a ringing recovery seems unlikely. ( updated Dec 2017 AMS). Overall, Shrikes of the World is a tour de force of detailed ornithological writing and illustration, a significant update to the original work, and is well worth a butcher(bird)’s hook! The subspecies pallidirostris (usually referred to as ‘Steppe Grey Shrike’) breeds in Central Asia. It is a rare but regular vagrant to Britain with 26 records to the end of 2017. Key features include a rather bulbous bill, long legs, long primary projection, pale lores, weak face mask, pinkish hues in the underparts, dusty brown hues in the pale grey upperparts and a large white wing patch which is restricted to the primaries.