Shrikes of the World (Helm Identification Guides)

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French, P.R. 2009. From the Rarities Committee’s files: Identification of Dark-breasted Barn Owl in Britain. British Birds 102: 494-503. Lewington, I. 1999. Separation of Pallid Swift and pekinensis Common Swift. Birding World 12: 450-452. 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. The first chapter gives a helpful introduction to the structure of the book as a whole and the individual species accounts. With a family as taxonomically knotty as shrikes, it is inevitable that some of the early chapters should concern their systematics. Here the authors also invite Jérôme Fuchs, noted expert in shrike taxonomy, to contribute an introduction to the true shrikes; defined in the book as the genus Lanius. Yellow-billed Shrike and Magpie Shrike were previously in two genera of their own, but have recently been re-sequenced into Lanius, and the book reflects this up-to-date taxonomy. Also included is the genus Eurocephalus, consisting of two species from Africa that recent research suggests may not even belong within the shrike family. Despite the qualms around their taxonomy, the authors have opted to keep these two species in the book, to reflect the current accepted structure of the shrike family. 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.

Shrikes - Yale University Press Shrikes - Yale University Press

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 plates in Shrikes of the World are a joy to behold and feel like a real celebration of this diverse and attractive family. From the fiscals of sub-Saharan Africa to the Northern Shrikes of high-latitude Siberia and North America, the quality of illustrations is superb throughout. The variations of spread wings and tails in the 'grey shrike' taxa will surely hold plenty of interest for European birders. 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.

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

Peregrine is widespread and exhibits considerable variation, with sixteen subspecies recognised worldwide. Nominate peregrinus breeds across Europe and northern Asia but is replaced across northernmost Arctic regions by calidus (‘Russian Peregrine’), a long distance migrant. Similarly, in North America the subspecies anatum is replaced in northernmost regions by tundrius (‘Tundra Peregrine’), also a long distance migrant. 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.

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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. Other species with names including the word shrike, due to perceived similarities in morphology, are in the following families: 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. Rafinesque, Constantine Samuel (1815). Analyse de la nature ou, Tableau de l'univers et des corps organisés (in French). Palermo: Self-published. p.67.