Atlas of nesting birds in Bulgaria

Great Grey Shrike

(Lanius excubitor)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 0 – 5 pairs

Distribution pattern

In the last 20 years, there is no data for the species breeding in Bulgaria. In the past, single isolated localities were registered, mainly in the Danubian Plain. Pairs with fledged young birds have been observed on July 4, 1990 near the village of Krivnya and on July 27, 1990 near the village of Shirokovo, Ruse District. One ringed specimen was observed on July 31, 1990 near the village of Malchika, Pleven District. The species was registered as breeding in 1996 close to the village of Morava, Pleven District. On June 27, 1992, a pair was observed near Veliko Tarnovo; on June 9, 1994, a nest was found near the village General Inzovo, Yambol District and on July 24, 2000, one specimen was observed near Stolnik, Sofia District. A pair with two chicks was observed on July 15, 1995 close to the village of Lilyak, Targovishte District. Observations have been made since the beginning of July 1997 near the village of Tabachka, near Ruse and since July 27, 2000 in the area of the Srebarna Lake.

Big size map

Breeding distribution 2013 – 2020 – The distribution and the estimation of the population size of the species for the period 2013 – 2020 is presented –

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

Observed mainly in temperate heath and scrub.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Not analysed

Threats

Not analysed