The species name of the northern shrike , lanius excubitor , means, “Butcher watchman.” Their nest is so deep that while incubating, all that can be seen of the female is the tip of her tail. A group of shrikes are collectively known as an “abattoir” and a “watch” of shrikes. Where are shrikes found? … Read more
They breed in far northern north america and come as far south as the northern U.S. for winter. They hunt in brushy, semiopen habitats, chasing after birds, creeping through dense brush to ambush prey, or pouncing on mice. Where do northern shrikes live? Habitat. Northern Shrikes nest in open areas within the boreal forest (taiga) … Read more
Fast facts: Butcherbirds get their name from their gruesome way of feeding When they catch prey, they hang it off a branch or tree fork, and hack the meat away, just like a butcher. It also hangs uneaten food in the fork of a branch or impaled on a twig (their ‘larder’) and comes back … Read more