ML615098779
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Immature Unknown sex - 1
- Behaviors
- Foraging or eating
Media notes
Digiscoped video using an iPhone 13 mini and a PhoneSkope adapter. Video 2 of 2.
Observation details
Continuing shrike found by Todd Ramsden. Showed up in middle of previously reported open area around 0958 after not being detected during my first walk around the perimeter of the area, then stayed in view for approximately the next hour before disappearing again. Initially seen perched on top of a tree here (39.9025164, -122.0727698), then flew to a couple trees nearby during my visit. Large shrike - seemed larger than LOSH, though hard to judge without side-by-side comparison; substantial dark bill with pronounced hook to upper mandible, paler towards base; white over top of base of bill; weaker black mask than LOSH - more prominent behind the eye (a little bit wider than one eye width and about as long as two eye widths) than in front of it, and with white completely surrounding the eye, almost like spectacles; black eye; gray from crown to rump; rump whitish; upper tail black; whitish/very pale underparts with warm wash and fine barring from breast to belly that appeared maroon or brownish in my scope; black wings with small white wing patch and white tips to (secondaries/tertials?) and very thin pale tips to primaries; whitish utcs; black legs; underside of tail appeared mostly white due to white (tail spots?), though I never saw the tail spread well. [Notes taken before looking at my photos or field guide.] After spending some time perched at the top of a tree, the shrike laddered down through the branches and then dove down into some nearby low bushes. It quickly maneuvered through them before flying back up to the tree holding what appeared to be a very downy and gray bird chick in its bill. After impaling the presumed chick on one of the branches, it proceeded to rip it up and eat the whole thing. Shortly after this, it started vocalizing spontaneously for the first time during my observation. I believe I heard and recorded at least three different types of vocalizations, which was extremely cool. It then spent the remainder of my observation generally preening, cleaning its bill against branches and surveying its realm before making a short flight and then disappearing. All in all, I'm not sure if I've had a more prolonged and satisfying experience with a single bird in California since I started birding. Stoked the gamble of driving all the way up here for this bird paid off. Photos. Audio. Video.
Technical information
- Camera
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 249.91 MB