Loggerhead Shrikes are interesting birds, they are classified as song birds but they also have raptor like behaviors in my opinion. They are fierce, handsome and they can be quite vocal. I usually hear them just before I see them.
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) expelling a pellet ~ Davis County, Utah
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up
Yesterday I spotted this Loggerhead Shrike singing away on a branch of a tree, it was really raising a ruckus and it sounded like these Shrike’s do when they are in mating season. With as little “winter” as we have had this year maybe the birds and animals are getting confused.
Anyway, I loved the wonderful setting I found this bird in, out in the open, no distracting branches and the background was so distant that I knew I’d get a nice, smooth look to the background because of the bokeh of my lens. This might look like a typical Bird on a Stick (BOAS) set up shot because of that, but this is completely natural and taken in the wild.
Loggerhead Shrike
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up
While watching and photography the Shrike’s behavior I could tell that it might regurgitate a pellet because it would open its bill without any sound which seems to be an early indicator of pellet expulsion. Pellet expulsion occurs rapidly so I didn’t want to take my eye off of the bird. I should have looked at my EV settings though. I really didn’t need +0.7 exposure compensation, I could have gotten away without making any adjustment to my compensation but I was able to reduce the brightness in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) easily because I shoot in RAW.
In the image above the pellet can be seen in the throat at the base of the bill, when this behavior happens the Shrike almost always has its head pointing down which often means the lack of light in the eye but in this case because of the angle of the sun I was able to get a catchlight.
Loggerhead Shrike
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up
In the image above the pellet has moved further towards the tip of the bill and the bird appears to be struggling a bit less in the process.
Loggerhead Shrike ~ pellet expulsion completed
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up
These images represent four out of five frame that I took while this Loggerhead Shrike was regurgitating the pellet. If I had reached for my coffee, sneezed or even glanced away from the bird I would have missed this behavior and getting these photographs.
Mia
More Loggerhead Shrike images
Another amazing photo series! I’m certainly happy that I discovered your photo blog!
Thank you so much Linda, I am glad I discovered your blog too!
Wow..Great shots!!
Thank you Dawn, birds are just so fascinating!
Your work amazes me! Keep it up!!!
Thanks so much Beverly, we have such fascinating subjects that I can’t get enough of them!
Amazing Mia, you are great at capturing the lives of the birds. Love the shots.
Thank you very much Dan, your comment is much appreciated!
Truly awesome captures of bird behavior! I have not had many opportunities to view Loggerhead Shrikes, so it’s especially nice to see one close-up (as unappetizing as it may be) on your fabulous blog.
Julie, thanks so much for your comments, I really appreciate them. I hope that you get some opportunities to get closer to Loggerhead Shrikes, they are awesome birds.
Great capture – I would have been the one reaching for the coffee!
Thanks Kathy, I am lucky I didn’t sneeze!
Such clarity, amazing, great captures. It is so easy to be distracted and miss a perfect moment. I glad you were focused.
Thanks for visiting my site Maggie and for taking the time to comment on my images. It is easy to get distracted and miss great shots!
How fortunate that you were at the right place at the right time. I love those little guys. Very feisty, but what else can you say about a bird that wears a black mask.
Great series of photos, Mia.
Bob, I love Loggerhead Shrikes too and that mask is too darn cute. Thanks for your comment on these photos.
I have had a bird pellet filled day, the first pellet post was at http://birdscalgary.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/saw-whet-owl-and-pellet/ and now yours! You were very lucky to catch such neat behavior of the shrike.
Thank you PrairieBirder, I was lucky to come up on this Shrike when it was getting ready to expell the pellet. It is neat behavior and I’m always happy when I can capture it.
You always capture the most amazing bird behaviors!
Tammy, thanks. I’m in the field a lot!
!!! Great light and action. Just terrific that you were able to capture this behaviour, and capture it so well.
Thanks so much Scott, I’ve photograhed them now often enough to know when they are going to expell a pellet, thatcomes in handy for action shots!
Very cool and great images. Still would be a life bird for me.
Ryan,
I hope that you get to see and photograph a Loggerhead Shrike soon, they are a fascinating bird. Thanks for your comment.
Beautiful and gross images. Love it!
Robert, thanks for your comment and the giggle I got from reading it!
Wow! Great timing Mia!
Thanks Steve, good thing I didn’t blink!