"... Tomial ‘teeth’ are “ventral projections along the rostral tomium of the rhamphotheca” [see Sustaita (2014), Cade (1995), Schön (1996)]. These of course are not real ‘teeth’ and are not coated in enamel but keratin. They can be easily missed in the field except at close range. The corresponding indentations in the lower mandible are even harder to appreciate. ... Lefranc (1997) describes the feature in Lanius shrikes: they have “raptor-like bills …. The upper mandible shows a subterminal tominal tooth on each side and the lower mandible has corresponding incurvations. This shape bears strong resemblance to that of falcons…” A number of on-line article have described tomial teeth in shrikes as being used to ‘sever the spinal cord’ or ‘deliver the killing stroke’ with some offering detailed work, see for example Sustaita (2014)."
Another angle to its bill.
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