pauljgier's Identifications

Shrike photographed through a bus window.

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) A.k.a. Butcherbird. Maybe because of its small size and weak tallons, this predatory, carnivorous bird relies on impaling its prey upon thorns or barbed wire to facilitate it’s feeding habits. It consumes prey, such as insects, amphibians, lizards, small mammals, and small birds that have been impaled for a while, have “ripened,” and are soft enough to eat. There are several sub species.
It is found in Desert and Arid Habitats, Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets, Urban and Suburban Habitats.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened (NT) (IUCN Red List).
The "bold black, white, and gray pattern is distinctive; also note stout hooked bill. Usually seen singly or in pairs, often perched conspicuously on a treetop or utility wire. Fairly widespread in southern and western North America, but never abundant, and declining over much of range. Carnivorous habits make shrikes unique among passerines; they feed on rodents and small birds. Undulating flight; watch for white patches in the wings."

Ebird with species description, range map and sound recordings: https://ebird.org/species/logshr

Xeno-canto Bird songs, sound recordings, and species range map: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Lanius-ludovicianus

Audubon Guide to North American Birds https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/loggerhead-shrike

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 2008, pp. 272-273.

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 7th ed., 2017

The Cornell Lab (Birds in U.S. and Canada) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ (enter common name)

Merlin Bird ID (great app available for Iphones) by The Cornell Lab (Bird ID help for 8,500+ species) https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Comprehensive Feather I.D. tools and more: https://foundfeathers.org/resources/

Found Feathers (Worldwide): https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/idtool.php