Hello Joe,
Those are some very interesting questions! And I currently don't have the
answers. I've sent this message to the Loggerhead Shrike Working Group, as
some folks work with Northern Shrike. Hopefully someone can help you out.
Amy
From: Joe Riederer <riedererjt@xxxxxxxxx>
To: achabot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2022 16:29:11 -0600
Subject: Northern Shrike question
I'm writing a series of blog posts highlighting how different animals
survive the winter. My target audience is the middle school science
classroom and interested adults. Currently, I am working on the Northern
Shrike. Last week it was -18°F when I saw my first Northern Shrike of the
season.
I understand that you work with Loggerhead Shrikes, but can you direct me to
any information about Northern Shrikes? I’m struggling to locate any
information about how they survive the cold of winter (other than their
hunting behavior). Specifically, I’m trying to answer these questions:
Does the Northern Shirkes use piloerection to increase the insulation value
of their feather?
Do shrikes enter nightly torpor to conserve energy?
Do shrikes increase their body fat before the onset of cold weather?
Do shrikes use countercurrent heat exchange to avoid losing heat to their
unfeathered feet?
The blog is already being used in a few classrooms. You can see it at
https://wildlifeinwinter.com/. ;
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Joe Riederer
--
Joe Riederer Wisconsin Rapids, WI (715) 323-1362
Web Site: Big Bluestem Press
Photo Gallery: https://joeriederer.pictorem.com
Instagram: @joe_riederer
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