Similar Species
Loggerhead Shrike
Adult
Loggerhead Shrikes have a thicker black mask than Northern Shrikes that often extends over the eye and above the bill. They have cleaner white underparts without the fine barring of Northern Shrikes.
© Michael Smith | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, March 28, 2016Similar Species
Northern Mockingbird
Adult
Northern Mockingbirds have smaller heads and thinner bills than Northern Shrikes. They also lack the shrike's clean gray back and black wings and mask.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 07, 2016Similar Species
Townsend's Solitaire
Adult
Townsend's Solitaires have smaller heads and thinner bills than Northern Shrikes. They are brownish overall, without the shrike's gray back, whitish underparts, and black wings and mask.
© Ryan O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 08, 2017Main Species
Northern Shrike
Adult
Chunky, big-headed songbird with thick, hooked bill. Gray head with black mask that narrows as it meets the bill and usually does not cover the top of the bill. White flashes in wings and tail.
© Bob Martinka | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 15, 2018Immature
Chunky songbird with thick, hooked bill. More brownish than adult, with fine brownish bars on the underside. Narrow black mask.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryMontana, October 13, 2011Immature
Immatures have finely barred underparts and indistinct or incomplete masks. Shrikes often sit on exposed perches and swoop down to catch prey on the ground.
© Ryan Merrill | Macaulay LibraryWashington, February 19, 2017Adult
In flight shows prominent white flashes in the wings and outer tail.
© Simon Boivin | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, January 06, 2017Adult
Adults often have underparts finely barred with gray. Mask is narrow and usually does not extend over eye or bill.
© Ian Burgess | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, January 01, 2017Adult
Predatory songbird; catches insects, birds, and small mammals. Breeds in far northern North America; for most birders, typically seen in winter.
© Dave Spier | Macaulay LibraryNew York, January 15, 2008Adult
Lives in open, brushy or grassy landscapes with exposed perches such as shrubs and fencerows.
© Taylor Abbott | Macaulay LibraryUtah, February 22, 2014Immature
Breeds in far northern North America; for most birders typically seen in winter, sitting on exposed perches in open country.
© Logan Parker | Macaulay LibraryMaine, March 10, 2017