Putative Steppe Grey Shrike
Lanius (meridionalis) pallidirostris

(Above) Al Ruwais, Qatar, 31 October 2012 (EOS 7D, 300mm f2.8 + 2x Extender)

I would welcome comments on the above. Whether you consider it a full species or just a race/form of Southern Grey Shrike, Steppe Grey warrants attention. It is poorly documented in Qatar, if at all fully proven to have occurred. (Surely it does). Regrettably, the images here might not be enough to fully substantiate the record, but I'd certainly be interested in any opinions as to whether it might be pallidirostris or, if not, what else it might be. Note:

• The obvious overall pallor of the plumage
• Short tail
• Buffy underparts (especially upperbreast and flanks)
• Wholly white T6 and T5, save perhaps for a tiny black dot in the middle of the inner web of T5
• Large white primary patch, though not extending onto secondaries
• Extensive white on secondary tips
• White-fringed alula
• Clear narrow white border over and across base of bill
• Apparently broad and long white area created by the outer scapulars

The challenge of separating the different forms of grey shrike in this part of the world is easy to ignore. In the UK, we really only have to separate pallidirostris from pale excubitor and, at a stretch, homeyeri, which is relatively straightforward. However, separating a pale immature aucheri, the predominate form of grey shrike here in Qatar, from pallidirostris is rather more challenging. Do such pale examples of aucheri even exist?