First record of Red-tailed Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides (Schalow, 1875) in Malta

Abstract

The Red-tailed Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides was first spotted on Comino, east of the cemetery, on 20 April 2013 at 11.30 CET while I was scanning the garrigue with binoculars. Its pale features were very striking and although I had not seen this species before, I was able to connect the bird in front of me to images I had seen previously in reference books and on the Internet. I could exclude Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio and one of the grey shrike species, all species I am familiar with, due to obvious plumage differences. At this point, the bird was not identified with certainty, but Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus was suspected.