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Like other visitors from Canada, this bird
likes to spend the winter in the warmth of the Imperial Valley. Our mild
winter weather allows this bird to feast on an abundant supply of large
insects. Although some may stay resident in southern California all year,
they are not commonly seen during our hotter months.
They are also known by the name "butcher bird" because of their habit of impaling their victims on thorns or barbed wire before dining. Its voracious appetite for insect pests may spell its doom - unless pesticide abuse is controlled. Compare this bird with the similar resident Northern Mockingbird. |
If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.htmlThey present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the Loggerhead Shrike
OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:
Impaler in Peril - "Ontario Birds at Risk (OBAR)" Web site for the Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program. Includes a profile and excellent photo of Loggerhead Shrike with nest and young.
The following "WAV" format sound file is copyright protected by Doug Van Gausig of Sedona, Arizona, as part of the "Sounds of Nature" Web site:
- http://www.naturesongs.com/losh1.wav - Loggerhead Shrike
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This site is maintained by:
Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us