From nest building to fledging of young in Great Grey Shrikes (Lanius excubitor) at Sede Boqer, Israel

During 1987, 1988, and 1989 the reproductive biology of 21 pairs of Great Grey Shrikes, Lanius excubitor, was observed in Israel. Eggs were laid at 24 h intervals, 69 % of the clutches comprised 6 eggs, and average clutch size was 5.8 eggs. Incubation period averaged 16.8 days, and month of nesting and ambient temperature influenced length of incubation. Earlier nestings had longer incubation periods, greather hatching success, and less egg mass loss than later ones. An average of 4.7 eggs per nest hatched, and overall nesting success was 63 %. Infertility, predation and adverse weather were the major cause of nesting failure.