Also called the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor)
Just want to add about the release or not release of birds: a healthy adult wild bird will never allow a person to touch it. If you picked up a bird on the street and it seems to you that everything is alright with it, this is not so. It is necessary to show the bird to specialists, and not to doctors from the nearest veterinary clinic, but to avian veterinarians who deal with the treatment of birds, and to do a full examination: microbiological culture, stool analysis, X-rays, and even a blood test. In this case, the shrike flew into the room, and was not picked up on the street, so it was released without a full examination.
For the first time, I was able to hold this bird alive in my hands. To carry out and train a shrike like a trapped bird was my old dream. And not only mine, many falconers enjoyed working out with such a monster. But a healthy full-fledged wild bird that does not need human care should be released into its natural habitat. This shrike was lucky, despite the fact that today is Friday the 13th. He got off with a slight fright and was able to taste a human.
I calmly and silently endure when kestrels gnaw at my hands, buzzards and hawks with their talons, but here the shrike's bites made me scream.
Monstrous bird. And about the mice in the knots of the trees - it is true, you can search for the photos.