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How Does the Shrike Carry Its Prey?

C. O. Esterly

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I want to report the behavior of California Shrike (Lanius l. gambeli) in carrying a dead bird. The shrike flew against a window pane near where I was, and dropped a dead “White-crown”. When the sparrow was picked up again it was seized by the neck, and the shrike flew off with it. But before it had gone more than a yard, and while about a foot in the air, the shrike released its hold on the neck of the prey, and, without hesitating or altering its course, caught the sparrow in its feet. The flight was continued for about fifteen yards, and then the shrike dropped to the ground. It started off at once and the same behavior was repeated; the prey was picked up by the neck with the beak and this hold was given up, while flying, for the hawk hold. The substitution is almost instantaneous; the burden does not drop perceptibly and the flight is continuous and steady.

Since I had never seen this before, I have wondered whether the actions noted are usual or not.

Scripps Institudion, La Jolla, California, December 30, 1916

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