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A mysterious visitor: Immature Northern Shrike (5 photos)

Freelance writer, Rosaleen Egan describes the birds who have been visiting this season

Living in the country has many benefits. It also has challenges. One such challenge in this particular rural location is patchy cell and Internet connections. Both seem somewhat dependent on wind direction.

In any case, this annoyance often brings me to my kitchen window, as it affords fairly consistent connection. It also creates an opportunity to observe animal life, most evidently birds. As it happened recently, conversing with my sister from this kitchen spot allowed me to spot a mysterious bird moving among the branches in the tree at the end of my deck.

Curious to get a closer look, I chose to risk losing the call by putting the phone down to free my hands and stealthily bring my camera within range of taking photos. I was able to keep the connection and position the camera. For each, and I am grateful.

As I watched this bird about the size of a robin, I was perplexed by its decidedly hooked nose, very reminiscent of the Cooper’s Hawk I saw the week before. Indeed, the barring on its chest also made me think of a hawk. Its size and shape didn’t speak “raptor,” nor did it have talons. It was a mystery bird.

Once my sister conversation concluded, I did some sleuthing. I looked through some bird books and didn’t find anything to lead me to its identity. Fortunately, I was able to post a photo to a group of birders and had replies within seconds that it was an immature Northern Shrike. The adult coloration is grey above, white below, with black and white wings. It has a black facial mask, just as a mystery bird ought. Birds can have different plumages according to age, sex, and season.

Northern Shrike sightings are not common and it was suggested with the luck of seeing it, I ought to buy a lottery ticket. It isn’t even listed in two of my bird books, and according to birdsoftheworld.org: “Information on the ecology and behaviour of the Northern Shrike in North America is widely scattered in often obscure literature.”

The Northern Shrike and its cousin the Loggerhead Shrike are classified as songbirds and, here is the shocking part: they eat other birds and mammals. This brings to mind Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hyde, two very different sides to one entity. Perhaps living in the country is a tamer version of this dichotomy. I digress.

Northern Shrikes carry the disquieting nickname “butcher birds.” This is because once they hook their prey they will sometimes hang it with other catches on hawthorns or fences to eat later. They breed in the far north in summer, and winter as far south as the Northern USA. They are territorial so one sighting may lead to another, although they like to hide in order to surprise their prey either from concealed perches or in dense underbrush. I’d be happy to see one again. I don’t think I’d like to see its food storage facility though.

I share experiences of bird visitors to this property with readers every couple of weeks. Until next time, keep your eye to the sky, and look for birds that may come by.

Rosaleen Egan is a freelance journalist, a storyteller, and a playwright. She blogs on her website rosiewrites.com