Among the birds the Creator has placed throughout the world, there are about 33 species of shrikes. They are birds about the size of a robin, which eat nothing but flesh, including insects, snakes and birds, as well as mice and other rodents. It is thought that the name “shrike” is Old English for “shriek” and refers to their shrieking calls.
While many of them have feathers of black, gray or browns with some white underneath, there are three unusual ones — the woodchat, with a brilliant red cap on its head; the gray-headed, which has a gray head, green wings and bright yellow and orange on its belly and throat; and the plumed helmet, with beautiful black and white feathers and a white feathery plume on the back of its head.
The northern shrike and the loggerhead shrike are the two main shrikes found in North America. The loggerhead is the one most seen in the lower 48 states during the summer, though fewer of them are now seen. “Loggerhead” refers to how large its head is compared to the rest of its body. This pretty gray, white and black bird has a strong, short black beak with a sharp, hooked point like other shrikes, and a black mask across its eyes. Shrikes usually mate for life. The female builds the nest with twigs and grass in trees or shrubs.
This bird prefers 13-foot-high perches in the open where it watches for its prey. When it sees a victim, it swoops down swiftly, catching it in midair or on the ground, and quickly killing it. It can attack creatures larger than itself because of its strong head and bill by essentially giving a whiplash to the victim from the speed at which it attacks its head or neck.
Since its claws are not strong enough to carry its prey very far, it usually hangs it on something sharp nearby. This may be a large thorn, the sharp point of a broken branch, or the barbs of a wire fence. Then it can tear pieces off, eat some, take some to its nest of babies and leave the rest for further meals. This way of impaling its food is how it got the nickname “butcherbird” and this is also why many people don’t like it. However, many farmers are glad to have them nearby, knowing they help destroy harmful insects, mice and other pests.
Perhaps the Creator made the shrike to help farmers, and all of us, in this way, for God’s highest creation is people. Only people are said to be made in God’s image, as our opening verses say. That means you, too! People are special, and every one of us is made for God’s glory, even though many people don’t live like that at all. Do you?
Did You Know?
There are about 33 species of shrikes.
Messages of God’s Love 12/21/2025