Male

Description

Size:  10”

Plumage/Description:  Male and female plumage similar.  A long-tailed, slender bird.  Darker gray on top, paler gray on the underside.  In flight, white outer tail feathers and large white wing patches are distinctive.

Habitat:  Grassland, Residential, Oak/Chaparral, Pinyon/Juniper

Time of year:  Year-round

Relative Abundance:  Fairly common in preferred habitat

Behavior:  A prolific singer and a frequent mimic.  During breeding season when there is a full moon they will sing all night long!  Very aggressive and territorial during breeding season—they will chase anything that comes too close to their nest.

Diet:  Berries, fruit, insects

Similar species:  Loggerhead Shrike

Best Sites:  Fain Lake Park, Prescott Country Club (Dewey)