That's why they call them "Butcher Birds"


Posted by Gerald J Romanchuk on Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:48 am

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I know this is a very busy shot with a lot of bright highlights, but I couldn't resist the action.

This was taken this weekend in south-east Alberta. I found a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes nesting at a highway rest stop. I was able to park near the bush & use my truck as a blind, the birds were very busy bringing food items to their chicks - which I could hear but not see.

Most of the prey was insects, then one of the adults brought in this vole, wedged it into the branch, and proceeded to rip it apart. It made several trips taking pieces of the vole to the chicks.

Canon 20D, 300/4, 1.4x, 1/400, f5.6.
Gerald Romanchuk
Edmonton, Alberta

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by KK Hui on Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:32 am
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A great behavior shot, Gerald!
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by Neil Fitzgerald on Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:06 am
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You covered the nits. A very interesting shot still.
 

by Fabs Forns on Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:11 am
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Quite interesting!!!!!!! :D :D :D
 

by Alan Murphy on Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:24 am
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An awesome behavior shot Gerald.
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by Christina Evans on Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:36 am
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Terrific behavior image. I've only seen them with insects before.
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by Scott Kacos on Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:12 am
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Very cool shot, Gerald, you really captured the moment.
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by Mike Gallo on Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:48 am
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Love the action captured here Gerald :D
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by Cindy Marple on Tue Jul 05, 2005 10:31 am
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Wonderful behavior captured here. In a way it is fitting for this to be a "messy" shot, it just wouldn't seem quite right to have this on a "perfect perch" with a "perfect background"! :shock:
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by mrhughj on Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:13 pm
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Superb capture of the Shrike and its behavior, Gerald!

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by Rob Palmer on Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:37 pm
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Butcher it is. I have one doing the same to a lizard. They make other "birds of prey" pale by comparison.
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by Steve Roman on Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:24 pm
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Very nice behavior capture Gerald.
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by Jeff Schultz on Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:31 pm
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Nice action shot. Its a good thing Logger-head and Northern Shrikes are not the size of Red-tailed Hawks...there would be a long list of missing pets :D
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by john on Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:52 pm
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NIce behaviour shot!
 

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