Lanius ludovicianus
I stopped at a small turnout on Antelope Island where there was a picnic table with a large
sun cover. I got out of the car and started checking the area for insects and spiders when all
of a sudden I was serenaded by a bird about 10 feet from me. I was very surprised to find this little
Loggerhead Shrike staring back at me from the top front of the sun cover. I chattered back at it
and it returned more chatter. I'd never heard them make any sound before except for their call. It just sat
and watched me as I walked from bush to bush and kept talking the whole time. Not a bird I would expect to
show such a lack of fear. They're quite shy. I think this was just a young one waiting for mom and dad to
return with the food. In a few minutes, after I got back in the car, the little shrike hopped down onto the ground
and started playing with a piece of plastic bag. It was so cute and it was still showing no real fear. The soft
chatter must be sounds carried on between parents and fledgling--it was so sweet. We carried on quite
the conversation without an interpreter for about 10 minutes until it flew off. I saw it again a week
later in the very same place but it wasn't quite as friendly. Maybe I said the wrong thing. :]
Loggerhead Shrike on Antelope Island. I do have some video on this but the sound is the pits (JVC mini camcorder).
If I had taken my Sony the sound would have been excellent. I'll try to post it sometime anyway. © Carol Davis 8-16-2009
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