Thanks for the help I received in identifying my mystery bird. It is a Loggerhead Shrike.
This sweet looking songbird is actually a vicious predator! According to Cornell's
"All About Birds" site, it uses it "uses its hooked beak to kill insects, lizards, mice, and birds, and then impales them on thorns to hold them while it rips them apart."
BirdWeb adds the following: "because their feet are not large or strong enough to hold prey, shrikes find a crotch in a tree, a thorn, or barbed wire to hang their prey on while they eat. Prey may be left on such a site for later consumption." Hmmm... very interesting bird!
I have discovered that we have one of these in our backyard. I am not sure that I would like to see one of these in action with it's meal, but I do think that it is fascinating how they have their little feast.
ReplyDeleteWow! That photo is amazing when you click on it and make it larger. Birds are so amazing, aren't they? This one is beautiful but deadly. I haven't ever seen one before.
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