I saw three shrikes yesterday, but it was shrike #3 that puzzled me.
The Northern Shrike is a raptor-like songbird that is around here in the cold season. However, it is not particularly common, so I was unfamiliar with last bird seen.
The first shrike, seen in the morning, was perched on a power wire.
The second shrike, seen at noon, was in a tree.
However, in mid-afternoon, a brownish bird was spotted. It had the strike’s hooked bill, but it lacked a prominent black mask. It turns out to be an immature Northern Shrike.
I love seeing each feather detail…thanks!
What would it be like to be named Shrike? Or a Harpy? Or a Screech? Or a Kite? Or a Skua? Or a Hawk Owl? Or a Vulture? Or a Dodo? Or a Great Potoo? I am not confident that therapy is available. What’s in a name, you ask? What is she to Hecuba and Hecuba to her? Everything.