Northern Shrike Photo Gallery
Immature
Chunky, big-headed songbird with thick, hooked bill. Gray head with black mask that narrows as it meets the bill and usually does not cover the top of the bill. White flashes in wings and tail.
© Cameron Montgomery / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 28, 2020Immature
Chunky songbird with thick, hooked bill. More brownish than adult, with fine brownish bars on the underside. Narrow black mask.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryMontana, October 13, 2011Adult
Adults often have underparts finely barred with gray. Mask is narrow and usually does not extend over eye or bill.
© Ian Burgess / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, January 01, 2017Immature
Immatures have finely barred underparts and indistinct or incomplete masks. Shrikes often sit on exposed perches and swoop down to catch prey on the ground.
© Ryan Merrill / Macaulay LibraryWashington, February 19, 2017Adult
In flight shows prominent white flashes in the wings and outer tail.
© Simon Boivin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, January 06, 2017Immature
Predatory songbird; catches insects, birds, and small mammals. Breeds in far northern North America; for most birders, typically seen in winter.
© Yves Darveau / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 12, 2019Adult
Lives in open, brushy or grassy landscapes with exposed perches such as shrubs and fencerows.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, April 11, 2019Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
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