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Tanzanian Starlings, Shrikes, and Weavers (Part 2)

By • January 20, 2012 • 5 comments

STELLAR SHRIKES Shrikes (like this Grey-backed Fiscal) are little wannabe raptors. They are quick and intense, with the requisite taste for lizards, snakes, and fledglings, but they’ve been evolutionarily deprived of the proper tools… so they improvise. Sure their bill is a slightly hooked which helps in nipping little chunks off their prey… but their [...]

Northern Shrike in Brooklyn

By • December 16, 2011 • 3 comments

Any species of shrike is an outstanding bird in New York City. A Northern Shrike in Brooklyn is no exception.  You can imagine my enjoyment then, when as we driving out of Floyd Bennett Field, Shawn Billerman, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly exclaimed, “Shrike!” As my Ford Focus came to a screeching [...]