Great Grey Shrike

October 9-10, 2010

Denmark

© Kent Olsen

White tips to longest tertials and inner primaries and double wing bare due to pale tips to both greater and median coverts. White wing spot in primaries extends to base of secondaries, partly visible in closed wing. Underparts faintly scaled not only on flanks, but also on central breast and upper belly

Underparts faintly scaled not only on flanks, but also on central breast and upper belly. Double wing bare due to pale tips to both greater and median coverts

Underparts faintly scaled not only on flanks, but also on central breast and upper belly. Double wing bare due to pale tips to both greater and median coverts

Underparts faintly scaled not only on flanks, but also on central breast and upper belly

Underparts faintly scaled not only on flanks, but also on central breast and upper belly

Brown forehead and slightly dusky upper breast and flanks enhanced by marginally paler belly and throat

White wing spot in primaries extends to base of secondaries, partly visible in closed wing. Diffuse shoulder-stripe

Colour of underparts not very different from upperparts being beige cream coloured, diffuse supercilium, rather pale loral area and diffuse shoulder-stripe

Colour of underparts not very different from upperparts being beige cream coloured. Brown forehead

Colour of underparts not very different from upperparts being beige cream coloured

Colour of underparts not very different from upperparts being beige cream coloured

Whitish uppertail coverts and rump

Whitish uppertail coverts and rump, diffuse supercilium and rather pale loral area

Whitish uppertail coverts and rump

Whitish uppertail coverts and rump

Whitish uppertail coverts and rump, broad white tail base with white basal spots on outer feathers

Broad white tail base with white basal spots on outer feathers

Broad white tail base with white basal spots on outer feathers

White wing spot in primaries extends to base of secondaries

White wing spot in primaries extends to base of secondaries

Is it just within the plumage variation of 1cy. nominate Great Grey Shrike?

Comments on subspecies identification are most wanted...

Cheers

Kent Olsen

(kent_olsen@hotmail.com)