It didn't look like the usual run of the mill birds that visit our garden, but I need to get new glasses, so I was unsure as to what it was.
Coffee forgotten, I ran to get my camera and proceeded to snap photos of it -- through the blinds!!
Most of the photos were pretty lousy, with an area of blur at the top and bottom, caused by the aforementioned blinds I was trying to shoot through. But a couple of them came out well enough for me to attempt an identification.
I love the search feature on WhatBird.com, that allows you to check off various attributes of the bird you are trying to identify, such as the location, it's shape, size, color and identifying marks, and comes up with a range of possible bird identifications.
I believe this to be a Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus, also called the Butcher bird.
Click on the pictures for a larger, more detailed version.
The Loggerhead Shrike feeds on small vertebrates and invertebrates using the hooked bill and is known for its habit of impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire. So I'm guessing he wasn't in my garden because of the bird feeders....
While I'm not organized enough to actually maintain a "Life List" as serious birders like to do, but it was sort of neat to see and identify a bird I had never seen before. I'm also glad I was able to get a couple of photos of it.
Words and photographs by Jayne Wilson, Green and Serene, Jayne's Country Garden.
4 comments:
What a sweet and innocent looking bird for one that impales his prey on barbed wire.
I agree! As I was reading the description, I was like, "Ewwwwww"
Congratulations! What a find. In all the years we have lived here, I've only ever seen one shrike in my yard and that was several years ago. But I often see them on utility wires along the roadside, especially in winter. They are actually quite common here at this time of year.
Great pictures, Jayne. Such an adorable bird, and one I have never seen. Well done. P. x
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