Loggerhead shrike

Description:

Shrikes waits on a perch to capture prey. They feed mostly on large insects, small birds and lizards. Known in many parts as the "butcher bird," they impale their prey on thorns or barbed wire before eating it. Moreover, they decorate their impaled victim with feathers and bills in order to attract a mate. The have a large hooked bill. The head and back are grey and the underparts white. The wings and tail are black, with white patches on the wings and white on the outer tail feather. The black face mask extends over the eye. "Loggerhead" refers to the relatively large size of the head as compared to the rest of the body.

Habitat:

Alabama Hills, CA.