Shrikes Lanniidae
The are 4 genera within the family. The Sao Tome Fiscal Lanius newtoni is critically endangered, and the Mountain Shrike Lanius validirostris is near-threatened. Shrikes occur in North America, Eurasia, and Africa. They have hooked bills, similar to raptors.

Lanius
There are 26 species in this genus.

Ranging from southern Canada, south to Mexico, the Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus is most easily seen in the western United States. Despite their small size, they are known to eat small birds and mice. The Loggerhead Shrike will also catch such insects as grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets, and if not hungry, they will impale their prey on barbs of wire fences, or tree thorns. When hungry, they will return to consume their "larder". Hence their name "butcher birds". This Loggerhead Shrike was photographed at Willcox, Arizona.




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