At approximately 0905 hr on 16 May 2004, just south of Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama, a Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius minor) was observed perched on a post with a three-inch-Iong (7.6 cm) vertebrate in its bill. The shape of the legs and feet were sufficient to identify the vertebrate as a salamander, but the species could not be determined. After remaining in view at the perch for approximately two minutes, the bird flew off to the southwest carrying the salamander in its bill. Although salamanders have been found in the larders of shrikes in Kentucky and Minnesota (F. Lyne and T. Bormann, pers. comm., respectively), I could find no published records of salamanders being used for food by the Loggerhead Shrike, and therefore, this observation is worthy of note.
Author: Lawrence F. Gardella
Volume Number: 50 Year Published: 2004
Issue Number: 1
Page Number: 12
Link to article: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/2004/Vol 50 No.1_2004_p12-13.pdf
Link to the full issue of BirdLife: http://birdlife.aosbirds.org/2004/Vo1 50 No. 1_2004.pdf
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