Loggerhead shrike

[squirl033]

This little fella has been hanging around for a week or so at a park about 25 miles away, so I thought I probably should go pay him a visit. Northern shrikes are common enough in this area, but Loggerheads are considered quite rare this side of the Cascades, so seeing one was quite a treat.

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

If I had seen the little fellow, I would not have had a clue what it was. Great sighting and photos. Congrats on a rare one!

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice set how do you tell logger head from northern?

 

[baturn]

Very nice captures!

 

[squirl033]

Thanks, guys!

Zombiesniperjr, the most obvious difference is in the band across the eye; On the loggerhead, it's darker and extends above the eye, and across the bridge of the beak. On the northern shrike, it doesn't. Also, the loggerhead had a darker beak and a larger head, though those are harder to judge unless you see them together. Here's a shot of a northern shrike for comparison...