loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 7 inches

• Heavy, hooked bill

• Black mask

• Gray head and back

• White underparts

• Black wings with white wing patches

• Black tail with white outer tail feathers

• Juveniles and immatures are duller with faint barring above and below

Similar species:

The northern shrike is very similar to the loggerhead shrike but is larger

with a black mask that does not extend across the top of the bill, a paler

gray overall color and faintly barred underparts. Immatures are browner

than immature loggerheads. Northern mockingbirds have slimmer bills

and lack a black mask.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-8
Length of Incubation: 16-17 days
Days to Fledge: 17-21
Number of Broods: 2, occasionally 3 in south
Diet: Almost exclusively insects, small mammals, birds

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August R
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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