ID Help

This bird turned up at my bird feeder earlier this week. At first I thought it was a Grey Jay but the more I look at it the less sure I am. I live about 60 miles east of Saint Paul, Minnesota

thanks in advance.

Norther Shrike. Only other option is Loggerhead Shrike, but basted on time of year/location and coloration of feathers, I'm going with Northern. Excellent image.

Luke's right with Northern Shrike--if it were a Loggerhead, the black mask would extend slightly above the eye.

I too go with Northern Shrike. A neat feeder bird.

I agree: Northern Shrike. An uncommon winter resident in your part of North America.

"Neat feeder bird" ? Well I'd think so! I've been filling my own feeders and helping with others since 1947 in CT, IA, PA, upstate NY, SD, and TX. I've seen both species of shrikes in all those states except for TX( loggerhead only) but have never seen one of either species at a feeder! Is this an unusual "negative record"?
Dave Graham, East River, SD

Btw Phil - you sure it ate from the feeder? Can you tell what it's eating? Shrikes are known for killing (and caching) prey and often spearing them on sticks or fences for easy eating. It would be quite unusual for a shrike to feed from a feeder

Luke:

10 or so years ago we had a Loggerhead Shrike that came to our patio to eat the meal worms that my wife had been tossing out for the Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers. The wrens were not happy and scolded the shrike a lot, of course.

I can't be sure that he was eating at the feeder. He could have gotten what is in his mouth from the suet feeder although the day before I saw it take a Black-capped Chickadee by the feeder.

100% Shrike! We get some in the summer every once in a while. They are very cool birds!