Red-tailed Shrike

Not long ago, the Red-tailed Shrike of Turkestan, also known as the Red-tailed Shrike, was a subspecies of the Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus). Currently, it is considered a good species by the International Ornithological Committee, Lanius phoenicuroides. That is why it has a gallery on oiseaux.net.
Distinguishing the different taxa from the former superspecies L. isabellinus is not easy as they are very similar from all points of view. Their distribution and the location of the observation are criteria to be taken into account before any identification. The description here will be made in reference to the description of the Isabelline Shrike given elsewhere in order to avoid repetition. The two taxa are very similar in terms of silhouette and behavior.
The adult male can be recognized by the greater contrast between the top and the bottom. The upper parts are of a relatively dark bru-beige, with a clear reddish hue on the head. The rump, the tertials and the tail are of a deeper red, with a brown hue on the central rectrices and at the end of the others. So the top of the body is generally less uniform. Generally, a sharp white eyebrow slips between the russet cap and the black mask. The lower parts are paler, less infiltrated by red, and often appear white from afar. A salmon hue is often distinguished when the plumage is new. The white spot of the primaries stands out well on the dark brown background of the wing. But be careful of the ambient light that can change the perception of colors. In addition, some individuals appear intermediate, with a grayer upper part, less red and a weakened eyebrow. Great vigilance is always necessary for such individuals.The female resembles the male, but with less distinct and contrasting colors, and a less noticeable eyebrow. The rest can be repeated of what has been said for the female isabelle, as well as for the juvenile individual. This species is said to hybridize in the west of its range with the Red-tailed Shrike with which it comes into contact in the east and south of the Caspian Sea. The hybrids produced are intermediate, with a much darker tail, possibly blackish, and a very reduced white patch on the primaries.