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Systematic list - part 12: Oriole, Shrike, Corvids and Starlings

 

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (3)

Singles seen briefly in flight at Granelli on 1st May, south east of Siracusa on 2nd May and Cava Grande del Cassibile on 5th May.

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Golden Oriole, Cava Grande del Cassibile, 5th May

 

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator (17+)

Small numbers at several spots in the Siracusa/Capo Murro di Porco area and the Granelli/Portopalo di Capo Passero area; also at Cava Grande del Cassibile and somewhere inland of Catania.

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Woodchat Shrikes, Granelli, 29th April

 

Jay Garrulus glandarius (25+)

Very common around Mount Etna – more conspicuous than Jays are at home; smaller numbers elsewhere.

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Jay, Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela, 28th April

 

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Jay, Riserva Naturale Orientata Fiume Ciane, 23rd April

 

Magpie Pica pica (100+)

Very common and conspicuous throughout.

 

Jackdaw Corvus monedula (c. 10)

Seemed to be common between Bronte and Cesari at the base of the Nebrodi Mountains, but not seen elsewhere.

 

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix (57)

Generally small numbers but widespread – seemed to be commoner inland than at the coast.

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Hooded Crow, between Scoglitti and Pozzallo, 23rd April

 

Raven Corvus corax (13)

11 at Monti Peloritani on 24th April (9 in the air together) and 2 on Mount Etna.

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Raven, Mount Etna, 25th April

 

Starling Sturnus vulgaris (1+)

I ought to have paid more attention to the Starlings I suppose, but both species seemed to be present with at least one, and I think a few more, showing features that were inconsistent with the commoner Spotless Starling. The one positively identified was near Capo Murro di Porco on 3rd May.

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Starling, Capo Murro di Porco, 3rd May

 

Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor (100+)

Most of the Starlings seen resembled Spotless Starling, however many weren't seen sufficiently to rule out the more widespread congener that is also present on Sicily. Very common throughout, though never in any significant number (perhaps only because it's breeding season?). One at Monteluce gave a very accurate Buzzard call at the same time as a real Buzzard was calling.

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Spotless Starlings, Capo Murro di Porco, 4th May

 

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Spotless Starlings, between Gela and Sciglotti, 28th April (left) and Monteluce, 29th April (right)

 

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