Northern Shrike (Lanius excubitor), Mormon Lake Overlook, Coconino County

This Northern Shrike was discovered by Tommy DeBardeleben and Dominic Sherony at the Mormon Lake Overlook on 30 March 2013.

Northern Shrikes are rare winter visitors to Northern Arizona and in recent years have not been found reliably anywhere in the state. They are especially rare anywhere south of the Mogollon Rim. This individual may be the same bird which has wintered at Mormon Lake Overlook in previous winters (last documented on here in 2011).

Paler gray color on upperparts than Loggerhead Shrike, narrow black "mask" that does not extend above eye or over bill, barring on chest, longer bill than Loggerhead Shrike with more of a hooked bill.

30 March 2013, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben

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