Family: Laniidae, Shrikes view all from this family
Description 8-10" (20-25 cm). Slightly smaller than Northern Shrike, and slightly darker gray above, white below, with black face mask extending over bill.
Endangered Status The San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike, a subspecies of the Loggerhead Shrike, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in California. This bird is one of the rarest vertebrates in North America, with a population of just 16 adults recorded in 1999. It lives only on San Clemente Island, in the Channel Islands. The introduction of pigs, goats, and deer to the island resulted in drastic changes to the ecosystem, as these animals removed vegetation that the shrike and other species required. Removal of many of these feral animals has allowed the habitat to begin to recover. Continued careful monitoring may permit this subspecies to survive.
Habitat Grasslands, orchards, and open areas with scattered trees; open grassy woodlands; deserts in the West.
Nesting 4-6 white eggs, spotted with gray and brown, in a bulky mass of twigs and grass lined with plant down and feathers and set in a thorny shrub or tree.
Range Breeds from southern British Columbia, central Alberta, central Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, southern Ontario and southern Quebec, south throughout United States. Winters in southern half of breeding range.
Voice A variety of harsh and musical notes and trills; a thrasher-like series of double phrases.
Discussion In the southern half of North America this species is the counterpart of the Northern Shrike of the boreal regions of Alaska and Canada. In behavior and choice of habitat the two species are essentially similar, although the Loggerhead feeds mainly on large insects such as locusts. In cold weather, when insects are hard to find, it will hunt small birds or mice. The Loggerhead impales its prey - usually a small bird, mouse, or insect - on a thorn or barbed-wire fence which facilitates tearing it apart then or at a later time; hence its vernacular name "Butcher Bird."
