Shrikes of the World (Helm Identification Guides)

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Ahmed, R. & Adriaens, P. 2010. Common, Asian Common and Pallid Swift: colour, nomenclature, moult and identification. Dutch Birding 32: 97-105. Garner, M. 2002. Identification and vagrancy of American Merlins in Europe. Birding World 15: 468-480. Shrike". Oxford English Dictionary (Onlineed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.) Their predatory habits, which will often see them take large insects or, in many cases, small birds or mammals only amplifies their uniqueness among passerines, while a penchant for choosing exposed perches from where to sit and survey their territories makes them generally easy to observe and study. 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.

Shrikes: A Guide to the Shrikes of the World - Lefranc Shrikes: A Guide to the Shrikes of the World - Lefranc

Yosef, Reuven; Pinshow, Berry (1989). "Cache Size in Shrikes Influences Female Mate Choice and Reproductive Success". The Auk. 106 (3): 418–421. ISSN 0004-8038. JSTOR 4087861. 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.

Sadly, the population changes section makes for sobering reading. Being relatively large passerines that require a good supply of prey, as well as expansive areas of suitable habitat (usually undisturbed rough ground or scrub), they have suffered greatly as humans have modified and 'tidied up' landscapes. The species accounts further reference a wealth of data and research on this, with the particularly well-studied European and North American species presenting some alarming declines in the face of human-induced pressures, from habitat loss to climate change. 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. 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’.

Shrikes of the World - Bloomsbury Publishing

The identification of hibernicus is problematic, however. The subspecies is characterised by a yellow suffusion to the face and nape but not all birds show this. The situation is further complicated by intergradation with britannicus in north-east Ireland and by variation within this latter subspecies. Notably, some Welsh birds show characters suggesting hibernicus (Cramp et al. 1993). Claims of minor should be accompanied by biometrics. Details of a ringed bird would of course provide additional evidence. ( updated Dec 2017 AMS). The subspecies scoticus breeds in a restricted area of north-central Scotland. In addition , cristatus and mitratus are on the British List, the former in relation to a bird in North Yorkshire in March 1872, the latter in relation to a bird on the Isle of Wight ‘prior to 1844’. The remaining English records (about ten in all and mostly from the nineteenth century) were not attributed to subspecies but were presumably continental in origin (Scottish birds have not been recorded south of the Central Belt). The identification of pinetorum is problematic. Not only is it not a distinctive subspecies but it also intergrades widely with nominate major. Biometrics are useful, however, pinetorum being long and slim-billed and short-winged.

Claims of pinetorum should be accompanied by biometrics. Details of a ringed bird would of course provide additional evidence. ( updated Dec 2017 AMS). And although the Northern Shrike is doing well for now, its Arctic range is vulnerable to climate change, and this species could lose more than three-quarters of its habitat if global temperatures rise by 1.5°C. 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. 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.

Shrikes of the World - Bloomsbury Publishing Shrikes of the World - Bloomsbury Publishing

Small, B. J. & Walbridge, G. 2005. A review of the identification of ‘Balearic Woodchat Shrike’, and details of three British records. British Birds 98: 34-42. Van Rijswijk, C. 2009. Witte Kerkuilen in Nederland: voorkomen en herkenning. Dutch Birding 31: 353-364.

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Claims of ‘classic’ guttata are welcomed if accompanied by detailed notes and preferably photographs. Details of a ringed or marked bird would provide additional evidence.