Bryan

Refer to "Birds of Minnesota and Neighboring States" by Thomas S. Roberts.
On page 661 there is a notation that the nasal tufts at the base of the bill
are black or dusky for Loggerhead (Migrant) Shrike and white for Northern
Shrike. Also the bill is black in adults and light only at the very base of
the lower mandible in young, for Loggerhead. Were as the the basal half of
the mandible and cutting edge of upper, are light yellowish-horn color for
Northern Shrike.

Several years back I was able to put this nasal tuft field mark to a good
test on a Loggerhead Shrike that stayed for several days on Sea Island in
Richmond,BC. We were able to approach the shrike to within several yards
using a car as blind. The bird was sitting in a small tree next to the road.
Thru a scope at high power we were able to see the color of the nasal tufts
("black") against the lighter gray background on the head. They were really
noticeable at close range. Hope that you are able to approach within this
range, for at a distance I feel it would be difficult to use this to identify
the bird.

Keep up the good work of updating us on happenings on Vancouver Island and in
BC.........eh :-))

Doug Kragh
wdkragh at eworld.com
Beaverton, OR