We love watching the Loggerhead Shrikes and checking the sharp prickly branches they perch on, as that is where the Shrikes often impale their prey, left to dry out, and be consumed later! Their nickname is “Butcher Bird“, as I described in a previous post!
My husband caught sight of one of the Loggerhead Shrikes arguing with a Red-bellied Woodpecker over a treetop, in what appeared to be a territorial dispute.
The Woodpecker ‘held his ground’ on the tree with great determination.
– even as the Shrike began dive-bombing him quite aggressively!
Only after the Woodpecker finally succeeded in chasing off the Shrike, did we discover the rest of the story!!
Upon closer examination of the area, we realized we could hear the loud chirping of hungry baby Red-bellied Woodpeckers in a nearby nesting box ! 
Sure enough, we hadn’t witnessed merely a battle over territory, after all. . . . Our Woodpecker friend was desperately trying to protect his chicks from being lunch for the Shrike!!
Very cool action captures! 🙂 Two beautiful birds.
Thanks, Amy! I hope the full post came out this time. You were so kind to comment even though I had accidentally published it prematurely earlier today!😑
Those are great photos, Bj! 🙂
Thanks Amy. Wish the photos were sharper, but… You get the idea! 🙂
As descriptive and colorful as your post is and as nicely as it captures the moment, you just had to be there to witness this fight for survival! 😎
Yes, it was pretty amazing to witness 🙂
I really love the interesting and insightful comments of your readers in this dramatic post !
📸👏
So do I.
Lovely shots and quite the story that unfolded.
Thank you, Belinda. It was interesting to discover at the end what was really going on.
Oooh! Wildlife drama. Great.
LOL. I always love the drama in wildlife, even in our quiet nature preserves!
INTENSE!!!!! Great shots!! Glad the babies were safe! 🙂
Yes, intense is a great word for it!
Great action sequence. Your photos of both species are terrific.
I love watching how protective parent birds are of their young!
Spring is rife with parents protecting their nestlings, it’s quite incredible to witness. I loved the story and photos, here, BJ — thank you. It’s rare to see a shrike and woodpecker battle.
I really appreciate your visit and your comments, Jet! Yes, this is certainly the time we see this behavior. Just last week I witnessed two different occasions when Red-winged Blackbirds chased down and attacked Red-shouldered Hawks who were going after their chicks. The Hawks seemed non-plussed, but the RWBB’s were relentless!!
Bird parents never cease to amaze me with the lengths they go in protecting their young, no matter the size of the predator.
Connie
So true! I often see the relatively smaller Cattle Egrets and Anhingas valiantly defending their young from the massive and bossy Wood Storks who’ve taken over their rookeries.
Great action captures! And I’m happy the attack was thwarted!
We were too, Tiny. Went back to the same spot the other day, and the baby Woodpeckers were still chirping away!
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