Whatbird.com

Taken in water recycle area at Phoenix International Raceway... 14 miles West of Phoenix on Nov 2, 09.

This appears to be a Shrike, but may be a Northern Shrike... a bit south of regular range... but who's counting???

 Comments???

Fraser

I don't know if I could tell loggerhead from Northern from this photo, but it's definitely a shrike.  I would lean loggerhead.

Loggerhead Shrikes are year-round residents in Arizona, the Northern Shrike though would be a very rare winter visitor.

Though this isn't the best of pictures to determine which shrike this is, going by the fairly broad mask and the range of this species, I'd say a Loggerhead Shrike.  

You people are casting aspersions on my photography... Well I'm (almost) insulted.  Here is a perspective shot... from which the bird was extracted...

Not all that bad... considering.

Fraser

Photgog:

 Comments??? Fraser

 You can compare the two species http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/loggerhd.htm

Look at my first post... I know that it is out of range... but if you never look for birds out of range... you never find them.

Fraser

Well, dunno how much you can tell from those pics, but I'm seeing a thick dark mask with very little white showing above it, the range fits and everything... gonna have to go Loggerhead!

---

Total birds seen: 217
Latest lifers:
Wilson's Snipe, Barred Owl, Eastern Meadowlark
Favorite lifers:
Black-billed Cuckoo, Reddish Egret, Wood Stork
Go Birds Go! Blog

OK... I can go with Loggerhead, and that is what was most logical... I'm just not willing to automatically dismiss a bird because of range... at least published range...

After all just look at the Neotropic Cormorant,  and the Eurasian Collard Dove.  And we just got a Townsend's Solitaire in this same habitat... which is not unheard of... but is unusual.

I will just keep looking.

Thanks to the forum...

 Fraser

Photgog:

OK... I can go with Loggerhead, and that is what was most logical... I'm just not willing to automatically dismiss a bird because of range... at least published range...

After all just look at the Neotropic Cormorant,  and the Eurasian Collard Dove.  And we just got a Townsend's Solitaire in this same habitat... which is not unheard of... but is unusual.

I will just keep looking.

Thanks to the forum...

 Fraser

If you suspect you might have an out of range bird, it's important to get good observations in the field and make good notes.  Otherwise you need an unambiguous photo.  If one or both of these criteria can't be met then the possible rarity will always be dismissed (and rightfully so) as the more common alternative.

Scott

Ahhhh... another shot in the heart... about my photography... where is my sword... I'll spare you all from this torture... Just remember me fondly...

 

Alas... so long.... Ahhhhh... things are getting blurry now... 

FFrassshheeerrrr.........

.

Well, that's a shame.  He was a good guy, Fraser.  Wait, was it Fraser or Frasier?  Maybe Frazier?

Ah, well.  If only that photo had been better...

 

 

Well I feel better now... a catharsis/purging of one's innards is a good thing from time to time.  Cheaper than a laxative.  When you (me) are from another planet... regeneration is... takes a couple of hours.  The only problem is the clean up.

OK my photo... I post another photo with an arrow... pointing at the bird.  And yes I agree that it is not the best photo to ID an out of range bird. (Sigh)

I guess that I'm happy that... with this hand held shot... I have anything at all.

FFrraaaaser.

(Hands still a bit shaky... after regeneration)

Fraser,

Don't let them get to you buddy! With your failing eyesight, it's a wonder you spotted the bird at all...

Just kidding, you know we love you!

Ahhh yes the eyesight... regeneration does not do so well to improve that... with my 20/200 corrected eyesight.... woetiuwejf x.c,vcnsz.v I have difficulty typing on the correct line.... svmmx.s;dfesomvsm sxd;s

 {lease don't alert the zuthoritite avout this... they might not ket me drive to the boird park anymore

Eraser

I snagged a photo of a Loggerhead Shrike this afternoon

 

---

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
Immanuel Kant