It may look gruesome, but shrikes impale their prey to store it and aid in eating. Learn all about this fascinating killer songbird.

Once a shrike kills its prey, it can rip the animal to pieces using the hook at the end of the upper beak. The small feet are sufficient for holding the prey while it is being consumed. Sometimes a ...

Of 33 shrike species worldwide, “only two, the loggerhead shrike and the northern shrike, are found in America,” according to the American Bird Conservancy.

Why it's awesome: The loggerhead shrike is nicknamed the "butcherbird" thanks to its rather gruesome practice of impaling its prey on sharp thorns, twigs and barbed wire.