Since the beginning of time, winged things have flapped their way into folklore, from the ancient Phoenix that rose from the ashes in Greek mythology to the murder of crows that overtook a town in Hitchcock’s horror film The Birds. Sure, these supernatural animals are eerie. But what about those birds you might find in your own backyard?
Indeed, there are some native species whose actual habits just might haunt you:
Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Vlad the Impaler’s got nothing on this unassuming songbird, which is famous for its gruesome feeding habits. After snatching up a meal, ranging from insects to field mice, the shrike impales its kill on thorns, barbwire or any other available sharp point. This allows the bird to tear into its skewered prey with its beak, instead of using its feet which are not as strong, thus earning the nickname “butcher bird.”
Common loon (Gavia immer)