An immature Northern Shrike near Owls Head Airport, photographed last month ... The Free Press (press release)

03.12.09

By behindhand November we begin to see a few of the migratory species that move southward from Canada to spend the winter in New England. These include Tree Sparrows, Snow Buntings and a add to of winter finches such as siskins, crossbills and grosbeaks.

One of the more interesting winter arrivals is the Northern Shrike, a medium-sized songbird that acts more like a raptor. Worldwide there are 31 exceptional species of shrikes, with none being found in either South America or Australia. In North America, the shrike family is represented by only two species: the Northern Shrike and the smaller, darker Loggerhead Shrike. Nicknamed the "butcher bird," shrikes skewer their captured prey on thorn bushes or barbed-wire fence lines and return at a later duration to feed on the remains. Female shrikes reportedly favor mates that possess a sizeable hiding-place of food stores.

The Northern Shrike is a robin-sized bird with a bulky head, thick neck and a hooked bill that is reach-me-down to stun and capture

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Winter Face Mask News

An immature Northern Shrike near Owls Head Airport, photographed last month ... The Free Press (press release) - Dec 03, 2009 A distinguishable black face mask is a reliable field mark for this species. Hunting singly from treetop perches, shrikes have a idiosyncratic upright body position

Glitter adds magic to holiday crafting Baltimore Sun - Dec 02, 2009 Okui applies glitter exclusive a cardboard box that has a lip to it. She recommends using a face mask -- especially with kids -- when using great glitters.and more »

Armed Robbery at Mason County Gas Station WTAP-TV - Dec 02, 2009 They say one of the suspects was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with red lettering, a winter hat, and a mask covering his face. and more »

Maine police search for robbery suspect who allegedly fled on a bicycle Seacoastonline.com - Dec 02, 2009 the druggist's on the south side of the building, a man wearing a "puffy" winter jacket and a medical mask over his face passed her coming out, she said. and more »

Winter safety outdoors Canada.com - Dec 01, 2009 Wrap a scarf around the bottom half of your face or go ninja-pattern in a balaclava - a full-face ski mask. Put on a coatof petroleum jelly?