Purple Finches and Northern Shrike

Yesterday I just happened to be upstairs and see three Purple Finches! One adult male and either some juveniles and/or adult females (I'm really not sure). We see these birds maybe once or twice a year, so it was good timing and luck that the camera was right at hand. Very exciting!



This morning, we think we saw a Northern Shrike (first time ever here). We have made a tentative ID based on size and shape and what we could see of the colouring. I had been out a few minutes earlier and heard a new call. After listening to the Northern Shrike recorded call on whatbird.com, I'm fairly sure it was the same sound. We'd like to get a better sighting of it to call it a sure thing.

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/444/_/Northern_Shrike.aspx

Interesting fact from whatbird.com:

Since they lack talons, they stun or kill their prey with blows from their powerful beaks. Then, if they do not eat their prey immediately, they impale it on thorns or barbed wire. This serves not only as a food cache but also marks territory and attracts mates.

I haven't seen anything impaled around here (yet)...yuck. Apparently this makes up their diet:

"Northern Shrikes eat mostly small vertebrates, especially voles and other rodents. They also eat small birds and large insects, and can kill prey as large as they are."

http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=300