Northern Shrike

Lanius borealis

Its scientific name, Lanius, is Latin for 'butcher': shrikes stick their prey on thorns, and some are called butcherbirds. 'Shrike' probably comes from an Old English word linked to 'shriek,' for its call.

Borealis means 'northern,' from Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind, the same root as the aurora borealis, the northern lights. A Michigan folk name for it is 'winter butcherbird.'