This is a Northern Shrike AKA butcher bird. I was surprised by this rarity of a bird. Very interesting fellow. He dines on small rodents and other small birds. He will impale them on branches or barbed wire and come back and feed later. Notice his hooked bill. I was sitting in the living room at my daughter's house in Ritzville, and this guy landed on the chair back on the patio. My camera was at my side (of course) and I quickly took a couple of pictures--through the blinds and window. I am surprised it turned out so well. He had actually dived down to another smaller bird that was on the table---the motion caught my eye--and the other bird cowered under the table until long after the Shrike left. So while the quality of the picture may not be the best---I'm liking it!! MB
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28 comments:
He's pretty. For such a hunter.
You're still awake, I just saw you in Jackson... Goodnight! :-)
Pays to have the camera handy great photos.
Shots taken through glass gives pictures a mystical softness that I find very appealing. To have your camera ready at a moments notice like that is fantastic. You caught the moment brilliantly!
My antipathy for the 'impaler'... Maybe, if he is up to the task, we could use him against our ugly pigeons!
good shots, good info. thanks.
Very nice photos!
Sometimes those psychotic killers fool you with their outer beauty and gentleness!
Shrikes are pretty rare around here. I only know this because I have birder friends who've told me this. (I am hoping they will take me birding this spring.)
At first I said to myself that is not a shirke, then I saw NORTHERN shrike, we have the Logger Headed shrike here very different looking..How fantastic that this great bird came right up for you to photograph? Great Capture too!
I'm glad you caught this little fellow. I think your picture turned out quite well!
Beautiful bird, Mary Beth... I have never seen one of them in person... Glad you captured him.
Hugs,
Betsy
I like the pictures but I'm also relieved that the other bird escaped!
You got a great shot even through a window. Never seen one but have heard how they hang up their food.
I think these are excellent photos. I'm glad your camera is always handy.
I like your shots of this attractive bird. I especially like the muted colors of the shot. Well done.
Nice capture! By the fine scales on the chest looks like a first winter n.shrike.
Not a very poline diner, but nice pix and great description.
He has the look of a bandit with his mask and all. I think they're great shots and love that you always have your camera at hand. :)
Cool! are they only east of the mountains? I've never seen one around here.
Beautiful shots, MB! I love that teeny tiny hooked bill & the bokeh is really nice! =)
a lovely bird to see. Thanks for sharing.
Another bird new to me and it's beautiful. Great timing and captures, MB.
Great captures.
I think I've heard of a shrike...no, wait, that was a snipe. Which causes me to ask, would you like to go snipe hunting?
Sorry, off topic. Nasty little critter, this one. What kind of a world is this where one animal eats another? Sheesh! Don't all animals have a right to life?
Hmmm...
These are serendipity photos and you did very well. Camera by your side, you didn't let a window or blinds get in your way, and look, it turned out quite nicely! For a shrike.
How come you know so much about all of this stuff?
RE your question about French kissers: No, I haven't found out, yet. And I've been busy researching the issue. Got slapped twice!
You'll have to ask Ciel! Only Ciel knows!
I had a Northern Shrike visiting my feeders last winter--not for the seed, mind you, but he was after the Redpolls. Unfortunately I saw him capture a few, but it's all part of nature. After he flew away, the Redpolls were shortly back at the feeders as if nothing had happened. The Shrikes don't usually overwinter here, but occasionally one will hang around. I posted some pictures and you can check my label section under Birds-Shrike if you want a looksee.
We also have the Loggerhead here though I have not seen one personally. Nifty photos MB.
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