Response to shrike post

[Dmcwhir513 at aol.com]

Folks -

   Had several enlightening responses to my recent post about a shrike 
nabbing a finch at a feeder here in Dimondale.

Brian Allen sent this:

   "Hey Doug, just talked to Carl Freeman and he and Tom Ford had seen a 
Shrike carry off a vole with its feet while watching owls on Sugar Island a few 
years ago."

And, Skye Haas sent this (talk about timely):

   "I had a Shrike nab a Redpoll at my feeders yesterday. When it flew off 
with the "poll", I was 99.9% sure it was being carried in the talons and not in 
the shrike's bill. It was similar to your observation in that it did not stay 
in my lilacs, and flew in a ascending, labored flight. However it was not 
being harassed by the other Redpolls, as the flock had dispersed for the next 
county over. As of this afternoon, the majority of my Redpoll flock has not 
returned, perhaps because the shrike was back again this morning."

Okay, that mystery seems well illuminated.  Now my question is:  "How does it 
land when it has feet full of finch?"

Also, I don't suppose a shrike really has talons, not in the sense of an owl 
or hawk, but are their feet and nails more robust than other songbirds?  And, 
if feet are used to grasp prey, can the nails properly be called talons, 
regardless?

Life is short.  If you can't bird, wonder.     - Doug



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