RETURN OF THE SHRIKE (TIBAS)

This week marks the beginning of the Philippine leg of the oriental shrike's (locally known as tibas) migration. For those unfamiliar with the bird, it has a very distinctive eeeeekk-eeeeeekkk-eeeeeekk-eeeekkk! early in the morning and at dusk.

By this time this year, there should be a cacophony of shrike screams piercing the early morning or early dusk quiet. But there is just an occasional weak eek-eek-eek.

Bird flu?