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        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Bird Identification 鳥類辨識 >>  Two Brown Shrikes
        
(Message started by: geoff_welch on Apr 15^th, 2006, 9:34pm)

Title: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 15^th, 2006, 9:34pm

http://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/BS1.jpghttp://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/BS2.jpg

These two Brown Shrikes were on Po Toi today. One is a technicolour version of the other. Would anyone care to comment on the subspecies involved?

Title: Re: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by Falcon on Apr 15^th, 2006, 9:42pm

I think the first one is a L. c. lucionensis, the upper body colour is more wash out. I think the other one might be a L. c. superciliosus, as it have a white forehead and supercilium, with a very rich chestnut upperparts. ;)

Title: Re: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 17^th, 2006, 6:09am

Thanks Falcon.

For the first, I agree it looks a good lucionensis. But the second doesn't seem to have a clear enough supercilium for a superciliosus, from the pictures I have been able to find. Maybe it's just a highly colourful version of lucionensis?

Title: Re: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by Falcon on Apr 17^th, 2006, 9:20am

Dear Geoff,

After looking at different pictures in field guides, i agree the head colour is too faint to be a superciliosus. But what makes the two birds from the same race different colour?? Is it because one have newer feathers then the other, and the other have more worn feathers??  ???

Title: Re: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 17^th, 2006, 10:47am

Dear Falcon

I don't think the colour difference can be feather wear. Most adult Brown Shrikes seem to look like the first photo. I have found a photo which looks like the second bird in a Japanese photographic guide called Wild Birds of Japan. It's labelled as lucionensis.

What we need is an expert opinion. Any experts out there?

Title: Re: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by Paul Leader on Apr 17^th, 2006, 5:05pm

I think the second bird is a nominate cristatus.

Title: Re: Two Brown Shrikes
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 17^th, 2006, 7:54pm

Thanks Paul.

The only thing I can add is that this bird was dazzlingly brightly coloured on the underparts with the contrast of black mask, white throat and apricot breast and flanks, which was emphasised by the very clean lines between the different areas of colour. The photo does not do justice to the bird in the field. The mantle, wings and nape were also a rich brown. Altogether a brilliant bird and quite unlike any Brown Shrike that I have seen before.