Northern Shrike

Description:

This bird is pearly gray above and light below with a dark mask across eyes. It has a sharply hooked bill. Wings are black; tail is black with white outer tailfeathers.

Habitat:

We see these birds primarily in winter in central Minnesota. This particular bird was photographed in small upland area in a large wetland in northwest Wisconsin

Notes:

Shrikes are also known as "butcher birds," as they tend to impale prey, such as grasshoppers, on thorns or on fence barbs for safe keeping.