This bird seems to be a big deal in my area. Some have acted like it was a major tick on your bird watching list. We do not seem to be in its breeding or non breeding range, however, there are maps that show in huge swathes of areas that are breeding and non-breeding areas. I am told this is a loggerhead shrike, although it was far away and I could not get a clear picture.
I did see the tell tale signs along the trail. I saw low bushes with pointy branches with impaled insects on them. Oddly this reminds me of the shish kebab I ate last night.
I do not think I would have spotted this bird on my own. I have issues spotting the smaller birds at long distances. Luckily a few others spotted it in the general vicinity of the bushes I found, although not close, and closer to another taller bush with an insect impaled on it. It was quite a distance and I’m not sure my lens is working so great in the past coupl of months.
Regardless of the poor quality of the image I was happy to get the chance to see this bird. Is this bird really that rare to find? I’m sure other bird watchers have seen it.
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 
It is a beautiful bird. Quite distinct. Great shot of the critters.
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It’s just fun to see new critters, although a better bonus when one can make a few images, even if you they are are not your best work.
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It is rare here as it is not it’s range. It has been here the past two late fall into winter time frames. This one’s bird gps is off.
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🐦
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Shrikes can be seen in Finland too, but I think the Great Grey Shrike is the most common. Well captured anyway!
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Because this is not even in its range so it seems rare to have these in NY, I am happy to get even a blurry image. I can only walk on roads and designated paths so that is as close as I will probably get.
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Although you were far away, the photo turned out great, Sharon. I’ve never seen a loggerhead shrike until now, and I’d love to see one in person. Their food storage process is kind of gross though.
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Shish Kebab of insects. Kind of gross, but I would rather they catch creepy crawly things like snakes and insects rather than other birds. They will go after other birds.
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The loggerhead would be out of range assuming you took these in the NY region. It is definitely in the shrike family and as you noted, they tend to leave their calling card around on all the pointy things in the area. It is a ways off so difficult to see all the details, but as a note, the Northern Shrike which looks almost identical would be more consistent in that area – just something to consider.
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Some people have gotten better images. The refuge it appears had it confirmed with I think Cornell-ebird the past two years. They say it is a loggerhead shrike. I have to go with what they say. I am far from an expert. Kind of odd this one is so far out of its range. This was in Southern New York. It has appeared approximately November the past two years. Not sure when it moves on. They close most of the trails soon to protect other incoming migrating wildlife, so not sure if anyone can answer that. Last winter was very mild here with only one insignificant snowstorm. We even had in one location snow geese that stayed a while, which is unusual as well.
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I thought at first that the bird sighting was one of the insects, and that the insects were called loggerhead shrike.😂 Then I had my morning coffee, saw the last picture, and it all made sense.
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Don’t think I structured this one well. I saw the insects before I saw it, so I knew I was in the right area. I tried time order with the pictures.
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