Shrike is a bird that can be recognized by its strong, slightly hooked beak. It is sometimes called butcherbird because of the way it feeds on its prey. It thrusts grasshoppers, mice, and smaller birds onto thorns, barbs, or twigs, much as a butcher hangs meat. The shrike then tears its prey to pieces and eats it. Some Australian birds that show similar behavior are also called butcherbirds. But Australian butcherbirds are not closely related to shrikes.
There are two species in North America, the northern shrike and the loggerhead shrike. The northern shrike ranges from the far north in summer to Kansas and Virginia in the winter. The loggerhead shrike nests in Mexico and northward to southern Canada, and travels south for the winter. Both species have gray, black, and white feathers. They use grass and small sticks to build their nests in bushes or low trees. Shrikes are often seen in summer along country roads. The female lays 4 to 8 eggs. They are dull- or grayish-white, and are thickly marked with brown and lavender. The northern shrike is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long, and the loggerhead shrike is about 9 inches (23 centimeters) long.
The shrike’s name may be an imitation of its harsh call notes, which are screeches or shrieks. But its song is a sweet warble. Shrikes are protected by law, because they destroy insects and predatory mammals.
Loading the player...Loggerhead shrike
