I LOVE these birds! I had no idea, tho, there were different colored/patterned types like this beautifully patterned slate-gray w/ black & white because I've only seen solid gray Shrikes (& I mean the males!) yet I don't know why I'm so surprised at variations - only every bird in the world has varied colors/patterns depending where at! I'm mostly REALLY surprised to see this guy (great shot by the way Friend Photographer!) in AZ 'cause, again in pro photos, they're always in the cold-watery-lush-mountains. I didn't know any were in dustsy-dry-100+° AZ; unfortunately I'm too far South to see 1. My Mom's creeped out by them for how they lure to viciously attack-impale-break/kill-dine other birds but that's why I like them - no, I don't mean about liking the brutal killing & eating part - but, in a way yes that's why; because they are smart enough to mimic to lure-ambush-pin-execute in secs with such precision... How amazingly intelligent & such ability to mimic - just another tiny glimpse of the overwhelming proof of careful design by much higher intelligence, just another tiny glimpse of overwhelming proof accidents & coincidence are impossible! Thanks for this pic; I hope I can can see 1 of these Shrikes should I travel that way!
Aeyoung
06-May-2015 00:25
What a handsome bird! I've never seen this bird.
Martha Mengarelli
09-Jun-2011 01:26
My binocs are not good enough to see the shape at the tip of the bill...your pic is fantastic...I am envious....Martha in Zillah WA
