Loggerhead Shrike

[cfcRebel]

I stayed under a tree to avoid the Texas heat. Then this inquisitive Shrike flew by and perched on the tree. He was willing to pose for a couple of minutes. So i took a few shots handheld. So they are not as sharp as i wanted.

A friend told me the Loggerhead Shrikes have the habit of impaling their
catch on thorns (or barbed-wire fences nowadays), and some call them
"butcher-birds."


I call it "falcon without talons". :D

C/C welcome.

[Paul A]

Excellent captures!! I used to see them around in S. Calif. but I don't know what's happened, I haven't seen one in years. If you come across a lizard impaled on a barb of wire you can bet it was the shriek. Thanks for putting that one on the forum!

[cfcRebel]

Thanks for the compliment Paul.
I know the shrike are getting less & less nowadays. They are listed as endangered in NY, WI, QC.... :(

[ngannet]

Nice shots! Very cool bird. When we get them around here, birders drop everything to go see them!

[Andrew Pratt]

Nice find as they're very much endangered

[tupe]

Beautiful shots, CFC! Interesting bird, this shrike.

[cfcRebel]

Nice shots! Very cool bird. When we get them around here, birders drop everything to go see them! Thanks ngannet. I almost mistaken it as a mocking bird. I'm glad i took a 2nd glance. I was so happy when people told me it was not a mocking bird. :D

Nice find as they're very much endangered THanks Andrew.
The number went down fast in just ten years. More states/provinces have declared it as endangered species. I'm glad there is a treaty signed by Mexico, Canada and the US to protect this bird.

Beautiful shots, CFC! Interesting bird, this shrike.Thanks tupe. My friend told me this is still a youngster. That's why his chest still has the striped feathers that i find it very beautiful. ;)

[Dragonslayer]

Fee, it is a very interesting bird species and wonderful bird to photograph also, nice to have some images in your files on this species and I might be able to point you to a place that might allow better images of one more in the open also. I have some images of this bird eating another bird as they do not limit themselves on sources of protein they will take small birds lizards and mice, not to mention the normal bugs also.

[cfcRebel]

Fee, it is a very interesting bird species and wonderful bird to photograph also, nice to have some images in your files on this species and I might be able to point you to a place that might allow better images of one more in the open also. I have some images of this bird eating another bird as they do not limit themselves on sources of protein they will take small birds lizards and mice, not to mention the normal bugs also. Cool! I always welcome any suggestion of locations. ;) Thanks Eric!

[weemannie]

Great shot of such a rare bird. Over here, you wouldn't get close enough to photograph one, for all the twitchers!

[Maureen Souza]

Nice....... I haven't seen one of those around in a while.

I wish I could remember.....but they recently found a bird here in the Valley that hadn't been seen in 60 years! If I remember what it was, I'll let ya know.

[PhilHannah]

I stayed under a tree to avoid the Texas heat. Then this inquisitive Shrike flew by and perched on the tree. He was willing to pose for a couple of minutes. So i took a few shots handheld. So they are not as sharp as i wanted.

A friend told me the Loggerhead Shrikes have the habit of impaling their
catch on thorns (or barbed-wire fences nowadays), and some call them
"butcher-birds."


I call it "falcon without talons". :D

C/C welcome.

Interesting to see the difference between similar types of Birds in the USA and UK, the Red backed Shrike is found here ,similar to yours, and is called 'The Butcher Bird' in England.. I think they may be quite rare now.

[cfcRebel]

Great shot of such a rare bird. Over here, you wouldn't get close enough to photograph one, for all the twitchers!
Thanks Trevor! Youngster tends to be braver. :D This young shrike will soon learn not every human is as friendly as me. :p

Nice....... I haven't seen one of those around in a while.

I wish I could remember.....but they recently found a bird here in the Valley that hadn't been seen in 60 years! If I remember what it was, I'll let ya know. Thanks Maureen! Wow, u've got to tell me, when you come across its name again. ;)

Interesting to see the difference between similar types of Birds in the USA and UK, the Red backed Shrike is found here ,similar to yours, and is called 'The Butcher Bird' in England.. I think they may be quite rare now.That's good to know. Even thousands of Km away, they still have alot in common. If you happen to capture one, make sure you share the picture of it with us. ;) Thanks for looking.