Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) Science Article 1
abstract
The Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) is a passerine species, which is considered to have un- dergone a large decline throughout its breeding range in Europe. Its distribution has retracted towards the south and it was recently classified as ‘Vulnerable’ (Tucker et al. 1994, Lefranc 1997). In spite of some local declines, southern Europe still holds the bulk of the European population of this species, Spain being the main stronghold (Hernandez 1997a,b). Although some new thorough publications exist (Rehsteiner 2001), few profound studies are dedicated on the Woodchat Shrike and its breeding ecology remains insuffi- ciently known (see compilations in Cramp & Perrins 1993, Lefranc & Worfolk, 1997, Harris & Franklin 2000). Moststudieshavebeen conducted in Central and Western Europe, some in Northern Africa (Moali et al. 1997, Brahimia et al. 2003) and Caucasus area (Gusev & Bednyi 1961, Ada- myan 1964).
B. P. Nikolov, Ornis Fennica 82:73-80. 2005