One Shrike Comes, One Shrike Goes



Loggerhead Shrike
Broad black mask extends over beak, clear white undersides



April is the time of year that one species of shrike leaves the Great Plains, and another species of shrike takes its place. Northern Shrikes spend the winter months in the U.S. but head to northern Canada for the summer months. Loggerhead Shrikes spend the summer in the Great Plains, but migrate south for the winter. These two birds are so similar that I often say the best way to tell them apart is to look at the calendar. If it's January, you're looking at a Northern Shrike; if the month is June, then it's a Loggerhead Shrike. The problem comes if the month is April or October. Then you need to look more closely. Northern Shrikes are larger, and have larger bills and lightly barred undersides. Loggerhead Shrikes are clear white underneath, and have a broader black mask that extends over the bill. If you look closely at these photos, you should be able to see these differences. I was put to the test earlier this month. On April 2nd I saw a shrike that upon close inspection turned out to be a Northern Shrike. Eight days later I saw my first Loggerhead Shrike in the same area. With patience and practice, you should be able to tell the shrikes apart, too.    




Northern Shrike
Narrow black mask does not extend over beak, lightly barred undersides