10″ inches long, The Northern Shrike is a medium-sized songbird with a gray back and whitish throat, breast, and undersides. The large head has a narrow black mask through the eye. The wings are black with a white patch. There are white outer tail feathers on the black tail. The heavy bill has a distinct hook at the end.
The Northern Shrike is uncommonly seen in the Omaha area and is very rare in Fontenelle Forest.
The Northern Shrike hunts from lookout perches and then swoops down to catch its prey of rodents, insects and occasionally small birds. Shrikes are called “butcher birds” as they impale their prey on large thorns.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Phil Swanson.