Shrike

[MN Shutterbug]

The jury is still out whether this is a Northern or Loggerhead Shrike. I'm guessing Northern, due to the width of the black bar in the face. It's not the greatest photo due to shooting against the little bit of light there was, and quite a distance. The first shot was too dark, so I popped open the flash and used that for the next shot. I was really shocked at how much range that pop up flash has. It completely blew out the gray sky and the Shrike turned out too light. All in all, I'm still happy to get any kind of shot of a bird I had never in my life seen. I had no idea what it was until I got home and perused my guide books. I did Photoshop in the blue sky.

I did shoot a new bird on Thanksgiving. It was a Horned Lark. But, it was in a plowed field, so it was really non pleasing.

[Steve Foss]

Good capture, Mike. Bill length is another diagnostic. Northern shrike is my ID. Loggerhead shrike is the MUCH cooler name of the two, but it is what it is. Or rather, it can't be what it's not.

[JayinMN]

Shrikes are very cool birds and some wicked little hunters. They are also very flighty so any shot of a shrike is a good shot in my book!