Northern Shrike

The northern shrike is a large songbird in the shrike family, native to Siberia and North America. It has grey upperparts, pale underparts, dark wings and tail, and a black face mask; geographic forms vary in shade and the amount of barring or white in the wing. Long treated as part of the great grey shrike, it was recognised as a separate species in 2017. Six subspecies are currently listed, including dark Asian forms from the Tian Shan and western China. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Northern shrikes hunt from conspicuous branches, poles and other high perches in open country. Their prey includes spiders, beetles, grasshoppers and other arthropods as well as small birds, mice, voles, shrews and reptiles. Individuals have been observed taking birds around feeders. A particularly unusual hunting tactic is vocal mimicry: the shrike can imitate the calls of small birds, apparently drawing potential prey close enough to attack. This mixed diet distinguishes its predatory habits from those of most passerines. (Wikipedia, general species account)