Grooming Loggerhead Shrike

It’s been a while since I’ve been this close to a cooperative shrike.

 

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

I photographed the bird yesterday morning on Antelope Island. The perch is cluttered with twigs that aren’t ideal but I usually had a clear view of the shrike and personally I still prefer an “imperfect” natural perch like this to a fence post or wire.

 

 

1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Perhaps the reason the shrike was unusually tolerant of my presence was because it was so intent on grooming. The bird worked over a significant portion of its plumage in the few minutes I spent with it. It’s hard for me to get preening shots I like because while they’re grooming birds usually have their nictitating membranes closed but this photo was an exception and I even got a bit of light in the eye.

 

 

1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Instead of closing its membrane this bird chose to partially close an eyelid so it could still see what it was doing and that’s something I don’t see very often.

 

 

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

I have several shots with the eyelid in this position – perhaps it’s akin to us squinting our eyes in conditions where we need to protect them but still see.

 

 

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

The shrike spent a lot of time cleaning its bill on the gnarly branch. I’m not sure why because both sides of it looked clean to me. Maybe this was just a very fastidious bird.

 

 

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

After an extended bout of preening and grooming the shrike turned its back to me, gave me one last look and flew off – away from me of course. But I still wasn’t through photographing it.

 

 

1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

It landed on another nearby perch and… you guessed it – continued to clean its bill. Despite the twigs in front of its face this photo works for me because of the peek-a-boo effect through the twigs.

Given the cluttered perches these photos are aesthetically lacking but I always enjoy behaviors – even minor everyday behaviors like these. And I love shrikes so I couldn’t resist posting the photos.

Ron

 

 

 

24 Comments

  1. OUTSTANDING shots!! SERIOUSLY outstanding!!
    Feaking beaks (arcane falconry term for rubbing their beaks on a hard surface) not only cleans, but also keeps the constantly growing beak in the correct shape, sorta like stropping a blade on a hard-ish surface to sharpen it.
    Sorry to be so late in this post, but life happened yesterday. I got a lot of boxes unpacked and many loads of laundry done 😉

  2. CharlotteNorton

    Wonderful series Ron!
    Charlotte

  3. Every assassin has a dress code to meet…
    Lovely images, of a bird I will not see, but have grown to know and love through your photos. Thank you. Again.

  4. These are delightful shots! I quite like the way all the twigs frame the Shrike. Glad you were able to get out among-’em and capture these. Hopefully, watching this little guy helped take your mind off your discomfort.

    The shots of him cleaning his beak remind me of our dog rubbing her muzzle on her doggie beds or her blankets — even if her face is totally clean, she still loves it! (She also likes me to “skritchy” around her muzzle; almost as much as she likes belly rubbins.)

    • “I quite like the way all the twigs frame the Shrike”

      Marty, you might be surprised by how much “creative driving” it takes while I’m approaching the bird to make sure I stop in exactly the right spot to get as clear a view of the bird as I can – especially when there’s this many twigs and I’m driving for two photographers separated from each other by about 5′.

  5. Great photos. What a cute/clean bird!! I like the last photo with the ‘peek-a-boo’ through the twigs along with you. I had to look closely to see that the bird’s left foot and one ‘claw’ [don’t know if that’s the correct word] can be seen slightly below the neck. Details can be fun to discover. Thank you, Ron

  6. Stephen Clayson

    Ron,

    I would have to say that it has been a banner week for me in the bird photography arena. Not only have I enjoyed several days this week out and taking shots (slow at work-surgery) but I have sighted the man, the myth, the legend on several occasions “at a pond (or two) near [his] home.” Sunday afternoon, Monday afternoon and twice on Tuesday (I think). I went by one pond on Sunday afternoon (after church, in my suit and all but with my camera) only to find your HARRIER tagged silver pickup parked on the wrong side of the road taking pics at the small pond on Winchester. I pulled in behind but didn’t get too close because you seemed to be intent on your photography. Monday was a similar event but I steered clear again because you were photographing the birds. I wondered if you were trying to get swallows in flight–good luck! Tuesday I pulled up to look around and then went down the street to flip around and park. In that short time you had already parked in the spot. I figure it is your spot much more than mine and respect that. So I went to Willow Pond and again didn’t interrupt your session with your feathered friends. At Willow Pond, who drives by but the Silver Pickup!. I was determined at that point to get out and meet you before you got involved. As I approached your truck you had already decided that there wasn’t much going on and drove on… just like the birds I approach.

    I am sorry I didn’t get to meet you but now I feel like a stalker: four times in three days. I almost feel guilty telling you about it. But I have enjoyed the ponds that are close to both of us. There are a lot of birds that I never would have guessed frequent the area.

    Keep shooting… and watch for a red Jeep!

    Stephen

    • Ha, was that you! I saw you pull up behind me and stay there for while.

      Birds have been slow at those ponds but you “never know” and since they’re close I check them out fairly often. Maybe one day we’ll have the opportunity to actually meet.

  7. Patty Chadwick

    An interesring series….especially like the second and last shots….that’s one very busy bird!….

  8. Beautiful photos, I love the warm light. Shrikes usually run in the cool tones but capturing it in the morning light made the cream tones a pleasing warm glow.

  9. I’m always happy to see Shrikes – they are beautiful birds. A few days ago we stopped at Guadalupe Mountains National Park on our way to Carlsbad Caverns, and they had a taxidermied Shrike. I was surprised to see the actual size, because it seems significantly larger than what the bird books describe (but the specimen matched my expectations of size based on seeing a couple of them from a distance). The perches here may be a bit cluttered, but I like that they are natural, and they give good context for the bird.

    • “they give good context for the bird”

      Agreed, Susan. Shrikes like spiky habitats like this so they can impale their prey. They’re called “butcher birds” for good reason.

  10. REALLY nice shots, Ron. 🙂 Glad the Shrike cooperated. The 2nd photo is great – that you caught it with the eye open is wonderful! Glad things are improving for you!

  11. Excellent shots Ron! When a bird is intent on cleaning/grooming itself up little can get in the way!
    Glad you are feeling better!!

  12. Beautiful shots! Thank you again.

  13. Really like these Shrike shots! They inspire me to get out and photograph. I especially like the 1st preening pic where his neck is so gracefully arched over his back and the fact you managed to capture him with his eye open! Thanks

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