Loggerhead Shrike

Several summers ago I was making a local flight at our airport. Because of the heat I left the windows of my van rolled down. As I approached my van I saw what looked like a mocking bird fluttering against my windshild inside my van. The bird had flown in and couldn't remember the way out. I opened the door and got in. In a few moments I had trapped the bird under a towel and reached in to help it out. No sooner had I got my hand around it when the bird clamped down on my index finger and drew blood. When I was able to get a better look I realised I was holding a shrike. The slightly hooked bill and single tooth had managed to do some damage to my finger. Both bird and I were happy to part company.

A loggerhead shrike started hanging out near our deck this fall. We thought it was kind of cute - until it snatched up one of the hummingbirds enjoying our bountiful collection of deck feeders. Now we shoo away shrikes when the hummers are around.