The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), also nicknamed the butcherbird, is a carnivorous passerine of the shrike family Laniidae. Their range extends across North America in open habitats from southern Canada to Mexico. It is one of only two species of shrike endemic to North America, with the other being the northern shrike.
"Loggerhead" refers to the relatively large size of the head as compared to the rest of the body. It measures approximately 9 inches from bill to tail. It weighs 50 grams on average, with a range of 45-60 grams for a healthy individual. The plumage of the adult loggerhead shrike is grey above with white below, and possesses the familiar black mask around the eyes. The wings and tail are black with additional white markings.
While they aren't true raptor raptors, shrikes are the most predatory species of songbird in the world. Invertebrates are their primary food, but they'll also hunt reptiles, amphibians, rodents, bats, and small birds. They have powerful hooked bills with a tomial tooth (similar to what a falcon has) used for tearing their prey to pieces. Loggerhead shrikes will often impale their prey onto a thorn or barbed wire, making it easier to pull apart. They will also do this to store their food to be eaten at a later time as a method of caching.