Shrikes are passerines that evolved to become diurnal birds of prey, and their appearance and behavior converge on small raptors in many respects: their plumages of black, gray, white, and often earth tones; their large-shouldered, short-necked, large-headed appearance; and, except for a few cooperatively breeding species, their limited vocalization. With the strong feet and sharp, strong bill of a predator, shrikes take prey ranging from birds and amphibians to large insects, often storing them for later consumption on the spines of shrubs or barbed wire.

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