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MASKED SHRIKE

Masked Shrike - Lanius nubicus
Juvenile / 1stW

Kilrenny Common, Kilrenny, Fife - October 31st 2004.

First British record of this middle eastern shrike.

Masked Shrike -1stW -Juvenile.

Note the overall grey appearance of the bird. A small and slightly built shrike. Small thin bill, less heavy than other shrike species. Also a long tail and a rump which is dark and same colour as back. In Woodchat Shrike the rump would be paler, sometimes whiter than the back colour.

Note the large, clean white wing patch, which is very prominently “set off” against the blackness of the rest of the wing.

Masked Shrike - 1stW/Juvenile.

Note the large area of white and “scaley” looking scapulars that contrast well against the overall greyness of the bird.

The bird appeared to be in tail moult, but despite this, the tail still appeared long, narrow and black and white.
The ear coverts were dark grey but there appeared to be little in the way of a whitish forehead and eyebrow.