The “Butcher Bird”
Expect the unexpected! This should be the official slogan of bird photography as the unexpected is often what turns a bad day of bird photography to an awesome day. This was the case on a recent trip that began at Myakka River State Park. I went to Myakka in the hopes of photographing two birds, an Eastern Meadowlark and a Crested Caracara. On my way into the park I spotted a Caracara on the side of the road but there wasn’t a safe spot to pull over. Regrettably, I had to pass it up. In the park itself, I spotted three Meadowlarks waaaaay off in the distance in an open field. No shot there either. For about two hours I drove and hiked all around that park, but the birds sure seemed to be conspiring to stay hidden from me. So I left Myakka with no photos and a lot of disappointment. Time to go home, sigh…
During the 1.5 hr drive back home I stopped in Brandon, Florida to refuel. As I headed toward a gas station I spotted a Roseate Spoonbill standing near the water’s edge in a retention pond near some apartments. I quickly pulled into the apartment complex parking lot, grabbed my tripod and camera, and in a flurry of excitedness took some so-so photos. Now, this was 1pm with sunny, cloudless skies and lots of contrast. In short, it was the worst time of day to be taking photos. But, it was a Roseate Spoonbill!
Roseate Spoonbill (juvenile). You can tell this is a juvenile because of its light pink feathers (adults are a deeper pink) and the feathers on the head (adults are bald). Photographed at 1:26pm with bright sunny conditions. Nikon Z9 with tripod mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 250, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec.
While photographing the spoonbill I began to notice some songbirds in a small tree about 15 feet from me on the outer edge of the parking lot. At first I discounted them, but then I heard one call and knew instantly it was a fledgling. I glanced over and my initial impression was that they were Northern Mockingbirds. But then I took a closer look and that’s when I realized they weren’t mockingbirds at all. They were Loggerhead Shrikes! Expect the unexpected!
I have never photographed Loggerhead Shrikes before so I instantly forgot about the spoonbill and swung my camera towards the shrikes. There were three birds - two juveniles and an adult.
Loggerhead Shrike (juvenile). Nikon Z9 with tripod mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 2000, f/6.3, 1/1600 sec.
Loggerhead Shrike siblings. Nikon Z9 with tripod mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 2000, f/6.3, 1/1600 sec.
The adult was flying to the top of a nearby light pole to gain a better view of its territory which appeared to be the short-mowed grass surrounding the retention pond. Every few minutes the adult would spot an insect or some other prey, swoop down and grab it, then return to the tree to feed it to one of the juveniles.
Loggerhead Shrikes are called “loggerhead” because of the large size of their head in relation to the rest of their body. Loggerhead is basically another name for “block head.”
Loggerhead Shrikes are also called “butcher birds.” This name comes from the way it kills its prey. The loggerhead is known for skewering their kills on thorns or barbed wire or wedge them into tight places for easy eating. You’ll notice in the pictures that they also have a short hooked bill which allows them to kill vertebrate prey by severing the spinal cord. In addition to feeding on insects, amphibians, and small reptiles, this bird is also known to kill small mammals and other birds. It may look like a mockingbird, but this little guy acts more like a raptor!
Loggerhead Shrike feeding an insect to its offspring. Nikon Z9 with tripod mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 1100, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec.
Loggerhead Shrike with a brown anole for prey. Nikon Z9 with tripod mounted Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens at ISO 1100, f/6.3, 1/1250 sec.
Just remember to expect the unexpected while birding. By the time I came across these Loggerhead Shrikes I was disappointed, tired, hungry, and just wanted to go home. But keep your eyes open and be open to other opportunities. They’ll come if you look for them.
