Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2022

None

Sunny, clear, mild

Nikon "Venturer" 8x42 DCF

Brief and rather distant observations of a Northern Shrike in Shoreham some years ago in winter.

Roadside tree line adjacent to large annually mowed field. Roadside, to about 45 ft is regularly mowed. Vegetation in the field beyond -- grasses -- about 6 to 10 inches tall.

The bird perched in one of two trees, about 10 to 15 ft up, and periodically flew down to capture prey among the grasses. Upon returning to the perch, it thrashed the prey and ate. The flight behavior reminded me of a bluebird, often seen in this area. As I approached and first saw an as yet unidentified bird dropping down from the tree, then briefly on the ground, then returning to the tree, I thought of a bluebird.

None that I could discern among the other sounds.

A black mask extending from the bill back past the eyes toward the back of the head. Black wings with a white patch. Black tail, with white along the tip when it flew. Otherwise a gray crown, and back. Breast was white to a pale creamy color and showed no other markings. Bill somewhat conical to a point at tip. Behaviors as noted above.

Considerably larger than the Chipping Sparrows briefly in the same tree. At first look through binoculars I thought, "What's wrong with this Kingbird?" Kingbirds are seen in this area and I thought the size was similar.

Gray crown, black cheeks extending from the bill across the eye toward the nape. Eye was black. Throat was white. Nape was gray.

Bill was conical, not long, tapering to a point.

Gray with no other pattern.

Gray extended down to the folded wings. Did not get a good look at this area in flight.

When perched, black with a small white patch. In flight black with prominent white patch.

Breast off-white to a creamy color. No other visible markings

Tail black with white showing at tips in flight.

Eastern Bluebird as noted above in "Behaviors Observed."
Eastern Kingbird: often seen in this area. Beyond first impression of black and white patterning, the details didn't match the Kingbird's continuous back being black to dark gray from head to tail, white underside from throat to tail, and bold white at tip of tail. The bird I observed also had a chunkier shape, not the longer and more slender impression of a Kingbird. Also, I would expect the Kingbird to go after prey in the air at least sometimes. The bird I observed went only to the ground for prey in the 3 or 4 sorties I observed.