Loggerhead or Northern Shrike on Bench

While looking back through our visitors this winter, I remembered the one bird who would appear to be ready for today, Halloween. Not that we celebrate it much, other than giving out candy to the kiddos in the neighborhood.

When Dan and I spotted this bird the first winter, I thought it was a Loggerhead Shrike. They, sometime two of them, usually land on a post out in the yard, but this time I caught him right outside the door on the bench arm.

Loggerhead or Northern Shrike on hook – by Lee Closeup

Today, while writing this post, and going to the All About Birds Loggerhead vs Northern Shrike page, I realized that this is a Northern and NOT my supposed Loggerhead. See what you think by clicking that link.

It’s never too late to learn something new. The part about the “mask that often does not cover the top of the bill,” is what made me take a double-take.

Close up of NORTHERN Shrike

As you can see, this was a post in progress as I put it together. Isn’t birding and learning about the Lord’s wonderfully created avian wonders great??? I’ve made my decision, and am changing the names on my photos. :0)

“Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.” (Job 9:10)

Have you had to change your mind about a bird you just knew what it was, and then it wasn’t? I JUST DID!!

1. Loggerhead Shrike: Converting Thorns into Meat-hooks
2. Birds Vol 1 #6 – The Loggerhead Shrike
3. Sunday Inspiration – Shrikes and Vireos
4. Wordless Birds