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Canada's Species   Birds

Northern Shrike

Lanius excubitor

This shrike, which displays a black mask, wings and tail, spends its summers in the Canadian north and its winters in the south of the country. The northern shrike captures insects, rodents, and snakes in a rapid swoop, then impales them on thorns or wire in order to kill them.

Map of Northern Shrike in Canada
Distribution of Northern Shrike in Canada

   
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