Some plumage variation in Red-backed Shrike

Inspired by a male Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) seen in Skagen today, I would like to present a few individuals I have photographed in Denmark within the last few years. They represent some of the plumage variation seen in the nominate form breeding in Denmark.

Male displays exotic features and are unmistakable with their bluish-grey head, bright chestnut back, black, white-edged tail and salmon-pink underparts. Female are very variable, but basically they are warm brown above and whitish below with dusky-brown crescents on breast and flanks. However, within these overall plumage characteristics, some degree of variation occurs including:

Males with a white primary patch and grey influence in the chestnut mantle

A tiny white primary patch is apparent in few individuals

Note how the grey nape reaches into the chestnut mantle.

Note how the grey blends into the chestnut mantle and onto the upper wing.

The male in alle the above photos was a local breeding bird I colour-marked and photographed in June 2010 while doing a population study on the species in Mols Bjerge.

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Male with small white primary patch and deep reddish salmon- pink underparts

This nest building male was photographed at Blaavandshuk in May 2012. Note that it has a tiny white primary patch in the folded wing and deeper salmon-pink underparts then the average nominate bird.

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Male with dark barring on flanks

This territorial male was photographed in Blaavandshuk in May 2012. Dark barring is occasionally present on flanks (in 4% of 775 individuals caught for ringing in Germany) whatever the age.

Female with steel-grey crown, whitish forhead and silky white underparts

The female in these two photos was a local breeding bird I colour-marked and photographed in June 2010 while doing a population study on the species in Mols Bjerge.