Predator Songbird – Northern Shrike
Northern Shrike
Lanius excubitor
This is the rare passerine, or songbird, that actually preys on rodents and other birds. It and its close relative the Loggerhead Shrike are the only two in North America to do that.
What it looks like: Northern Shrike is a medium-sized songbird with a pale gray back, whitish breast, black mask, rounded forehead, and a hawk-like hooked bill. At first glance some birders may gloss over a shrike thinking it’s just a mockingbird, particularly since they are often found in similar habitat in winter. A couple of quick references to rule out mockingbird are the black mask, the flight differences, and the general lack of other birds around when a shrike is present. The shrike has a fast, quick flight; the mockingbird has a slower flight often showing its white outer tail feathers.
Where to find it: Northern Shrikes nest in northern Canada and only in years when their food supply is low will some migrate to Connecticut. There haven’t been many shrikes observed here for a while, but so far this fall several Northern Shrikes have been reported. The best places to find them are any conservation area in Connecticut with hedgerows and semi-open fields.
Connecticut Audubon Society’s Bafflin Sanctuary, at the Center at Pomfret, and the neighboring Wyndham Land Trust’s Duck Marsh Preserve are two great places to find them. A Northern Shrike has been seen sporadically at Haddam Meadows State Park within the past week and, to give you an idea of where else they might show up, a year ago Northern Shrikes were seen at Little Pond and White Memorial Sanctuary in Litchfield.
How to find it: At the Pomfret Center, check the tops of the scattered shrubs, trees, and fencing. They often perch there to scan for rodents and small birds. The hedgerows at the Pomfret Center’s parking lot and across the street from the center, and the shrubby thickets in back, are all likely spots to see one. The Duck Marsh Preserve is a half mile north of the Pomfret Center along the east side of Wrights Crossing Road. Brushy scattered fields and an extensive marsh with dead trees are a good location to find perching shrikes.
What if bird isn’t there: A couple of Northern Harriers including a nice adult male are hunting both Pomfret locations. American Tree Sparrows, bluebirds, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are a few of the more interesting birds wintering here as well. Check the beaver pond across from the center for ducks and maybe a Pied-billed Grebe.
Conservation Status: They are considered of least concern. Large areas of their breeding habitat in Canada have been protected.
This week’s Connecticut Audubon Society Bird Finder was written by Andy Rzeznikiewicz, preserve manager at our Center at Pomfret and Trail Wood Sanctuary, and edited by Tom Andersen.
Photo by Marek Szczepanek, Carolinabirds.org.
