Where’s Wildlife · Bird Field Guide
Lanius borealis
Pronounced (approx.): LAY-nee-us bor-ee-AL-is
A gray, black-masked songbird with a hooked bill and the hunting habits of a small raptor. [1]
Select the main image to browse all 3 photographs.
NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA
During winter, scan exposed shrubs and treetops around brushy fields. A hunting bird may watch from one perch for an extended period. [1]
Use the range map for seasonal context and the observation map to explore reported sightings near you.
Listen for rhythm and tone, then compare what you hear with the bird’s appearance and habitat.
Loggerhead Shrikes are similar. Check the bill, mask, fine markings below, and the bird’s range; a gray bird alone is not enough. [1]
Photographs © Brian Woolman / Where’s Wildlife. Select any image to open the gallery.
Showing 3 of 3 photographs.
Shrikes hunt both from exposed perches and within brush. Northern Shrikes breed far to the north, with some moving into the northern United States for winter. They may store prey on thorns or barbed wire. [2]
Explore reported observations and photographs on iNaturalist. Zoom to your area and use date filters to investigate seasonal sightings.
Reported sightings are not a complete range map. A lack of records does not necessarily mean the species is absent.
Choose a photograph and name three clues you can see. Compare another view to learn how angle, age, season, and lighting change the bird’s appearance.