Page 451 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

NUTHATCHES/SHRIKES/CROWS
Family Sittidae Species Sitta neumayer Family Laniidae Species Lanius isabellinus
Rock Nuthatch Isabelline Shrike

The best places to see this bird are archaeological sites A close relative of the Red-backed Shrike (see p.357),
in Greece and Turkey, where it often flits about the the Isabelline Shrike is similar in basic appearance but
ruins, drawing attention to itself by its bold behaviour paler, more sandy-brown, with a pale, rusty tail. Males
and voice. It looks like a large, washed-out Nuthatch have a black mask and dark wings;
(see p.352), but has a plain grey tail long black females are plainer. Immatures
(no dark and white marks) and eye-stripe look like rusty-tailed, sandy-
whitish flanks (no rust-orange). It backed young Red-backed Shrikes,
often perches very upright, breast with paler, plainer upperparts; the
pushed out, bobbing, almost like tail may be entirely pale rufous
a slim Dipper (see p.290). or darker with rufous edges
OCCURRENCE Breeds long and a rufous rump.
in Balkans and Turkey, bill OCCURRENCE Very rare
in rocky areas. vagrant in W Europe, from
VOICE Rising and Asia, mostly in late autumn.
falling, far-carrying, VOICE Migrants are
strident whistling generally silent.
notes.

plain tail rusty tail

IMMATURE
Length 14–15cm (5 1 ⁄2 –6in) Wingspan 23–25cm (9–10in) Length 16–18cm (6 1 ⁄2 –7in) Wingspan 26–28cm (10–11in)

Family Laniidae Species Lanius nubicus Family Corvidae Species Cyanopica cyanus
Masked Shrike Azure-winged Magpie
The small, slender, and well-marked Masked Shrike is This striking bird is a magpie in form (see p.363), with
mostly black and white with peachy orange flanks and an upright, short body, short wings, long tail, and stout
is easily identifiable.Males are brighter than females. bill and legs, but quite different from the familiar pied
Juveniles look like young Woodchat Shrikes (see p.358), bird in plumage. It has a deep black cap and a white
but have slim, blacker tails, greyer upperparts with at throat; the back is pale fawn, the underside
least some scaly whitish shoulder marks making more a paler shade, while the wings and tail
of a patch than on Woodchat, and a bigger are pale, dusty blue. Small flocks roam
white patch on the primaries. white through pine woods,
forehead
OCCURRENCE Breeds in calling frequently. pale blue
Balkans and Turkey; winter OCCURRENCE Breeds wings
migrant in Africa. in S Spain and Portugal;
VOICE Scratchy, hoarse resident.
note and rough VOICE High, nasal, calls
black
rattling call. with bright, whining
eye- fawn
stripe quality, and deeper, body
large white grating notes.
shoulder
patch
long, pale
blue tail
orange
flanks
MALE
Length 17–18cm (6 1 ⁄2 –7in) Wingspan 24–26cm (9 1 ⁄2 –10in) Length 31–35cm (12–14in) Wingspan 38–40cm (15–16in)
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