Can someone help us ID this bird?

by Cheri
(Waukon, IA)

I live in NE Iowa, and this summer we have noticed some birds that we cannot identify. We've only seen them flying - the birds have a distinctive white stripe across the width of each wing, underneath, and the overall color seems to be gray. The birds are larger than a swallow. (I am comparing them to swallows because they were out flying around at the same time as the swallows were out.) They also seemed to have the same type of flight as a swallow, but a little more soaring and not so much flapping. I even heard their call one evening, but it is hard to describe. Not really a screech, but it was a harsher, or scratchy tone - not a musical song at all.


We just started seeing these birds about 2 weeks ago and have seen them about 4 times. I have tried the bird identification guides that I have found on the internet, but can't seem to come up with an ID. Can anyone help? Thanks!

Comments for Can someone help us ID this bird?

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Dec 27, 2012
 Shrike?
by: Louise

I agree that it sounds like a shrike. Just watch and if all the little birds disappear and hide when they come then you will know. We had one and it actually caught a finch right before our eyes. Pretty awful to see!
Nov 27, 2012
 think we have an i.d.
by: Anonymous

We got a better look at this bird when we were out on a walk awhile back- I think they are Northern Flickers, although I am not sure why they were flying around so high in the air, as my understanding is that they eat bugs out of the ground.
Nov 27, 2012
 A Shrike?
by: Linda

Were they sleek and had a fairly decent long beak?
We discovered Shrike(?) two years ago...did not think they were in southern Saskatchewan. They sounded scarey almost.....I do not have a photo but when one would come by every bird in the vicinity got quiet and hid! (no wonder as they are preditors!)

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