Bird Feeder Friends
carnivorous birds
A friend told me of a bird that is known to impale other birds on thorny bushes for later feeding....any idea what that is called? It's a little bigger than a robin...
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by monty thomson on -
loggerhead shrike or northern shrike also called the "butcher" bird.
good birding,
monty
boise, idaho
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Permalink Reply by GailR on
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Northern Shrike will impale its prey on thorns or barbed wire fencelines. That is to cache their food supply, attract mates, or mark their territory. Look for them near forest edges, open willow brush, brush-bordered bogs & swamps. Eats mostly insects but also small birds & mammals, small reptiles. Hunts from high up, swooping down to clobber the prey in the head with its heavy bill, since Shrikes lack talons. Can also float to the ground & hover hunt. Changes position of hunting perch often. Kills vertebrates by biting through their neck. They will remove the spines, wings & stingers from insects before eating.
Call sounds like shack-shack-shack, loud & shrill. Both males & females sing throughout the year.
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