Shrikes vocally imitate their prey to lure them for capture. [14] In 1575, this was noted by the English poet George Turberville.

Shrikes of the World by Norbert Lefranc | Perlego [PDF] Shrikes of the World by Norbert Lefranc | Perlego

And so, the publication of the latest in the Helm Identification Guides series will no doubt be of great interest to many. Shrikes of the World, by French ornithologist Norbert Lefranc and acclaimed artist Tim Worfolk, is in fact a fully updated version of Shrikes, their seminal work published in 1997. Nash, M. 2012. Great Grey Shrikes at Fakenham and Felbrigg. Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2011. Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society. 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). Crouzier, P. & CHN 1995. Observations françaises du Choucas des tours ‘oriental’ Corvus monedula soemmerringii: une enquête du Comité d’Homologation National. Ornithos 2: 168-169.

The helmetshrikes and bushshrikes were formerly included in Laniidae, but they are now known to be not particularly closely related to true shrikes. 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).

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

Coal Tit comprises a very large number of subspecies across the whole width of the Palearctic. Only three are of relevance here, however. The subspecies britannicus (‘British Coal Tit’) is endemic to Britain and north-east Ireland, nominate ater (‘Continental Coal Tit’) breeds right across Europe and Asia and hibernicus (‘Irish Coal Tit’) breeds in Ireland except in the north-east where it intergrades with britannicus (Cramp et al. 1993). 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 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 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.

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. 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. Claims of minor should be accompanied by biometrics. Details of a ringed bird would of course provide additional evidence. ( updated Dec 2017 AMS).