Spot the Differences

The Loggerhead Shrike and Northern Shrike can both be found across North America, so how do you tell them apart? Well, there are three important differences between these two species: 1. The Northern Shrike is bigger than the Loggerhead (one to two inches longer); 2. The Loggerhead Shrike has a shorter beak; and 3. The Loggerhead's black mask extends across its forehead and above the beak, while the Northern Shrike's mask doesn't. Did you know that both the Northern as well as the Loggerhead Shrike impale their prey on thorns to hold them down while it rips them apart with its hooked bill? Pretty gross, eh? It does this with larger prey, such as lizards, mice, shrews and even birds, because it lacks the talons that birds of prey have. So if you see a lizard stuck on a thorn it's probably the handywork of your friendly neighborhood shrike.

Spot the differences between Loggerhead Shrike and Northern Shrike

Comments

Vivek on May 26, 2020 at 4:58 PM wrote:
Great comparison,thanks
Jim on April 9, 2021 at 10:53 AM wrote:
Thanks. Not sure I could distinguish, except for black mask.
Spurwing Plover on May 31, 2022 at 5:49 AM wrote:
Impale their prey on Thorns or Barbwire Fences hence their other names Butcher Birds

Leave a comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published

Malleefowl: the Thermometer Bird

Malleefowl are large ground-dwelling birds that live in Australia. They have a remarkable reproductive cycle that includes up to 11 months per year spent building, tending and maintaining a large nest mound used for incubation. Malleefowl mounds are made up...

2020 Bonanza Bird #22: Crested Owl

Today’s new species is a very special type of owl with a unique look. The Crested Owl is a medium-sized owl that lives in wet forest habitat across parts of Central America and South America. These strictly nocturnal birds are year-round resident birds;...

Nature Center Fun With Birdorable Coloring Pages

Are you looking for a fun and easy things for guests to do at your nature center? Our cute Birdorable bird coloring pages can be the basis for a fun and free activity. We have over 100 different coloring pages available -- and they are all free...

2019 Bonanza Bird #10: Grey Wagtail

Today our Birdorable 2019 Bonanza concludes as we reveal the 10th bird of the series: the Grey Wagtail! Grey (or Gray) Wagtails are songbirds in the wagtail family with a wide distribution across Asia and parts of Europe and Africa where both...