Features: The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is a robin-sized song bird with a robust hooked bill, black face mask, white under parts, and black wings with a prominent white wing patch. Easily confused with the Northern Shrike (L. excubitor), the Loggerhead is somewhat smaller in size and its face mask extends across the base of the bill. The subspecies present in Ontario (L. l. migrans) is the most imperilled of the 11 subspecies found in North America. Sometimes called the "butcher bird", this raptorial (predatory) song bird has the unusual habit of impaling its prey, mostly insects, but occasionally small birds or mice, on twigs or thorns. Loggerhead Shrikes hunt from perches in open country, and prefer a combination of pasture or other grassland with scattered low trees and shrubs.

Status: Endangered Provincially and Nationally

Range: The range of this species extends from southern Canada to Mexico and Florida. Two subspecies occur in Canada: the eastern subspecies which is endangered, and a western subspecies which is threatened. The eastern subspecies was once fairly common in southern Canada, ranging from southeastern Manitoba, across southern Ontario and Quebec into the Maritimes. It now nests only in southern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba. In Ontario, habitat loss has confined the Loggerhead to limestone plains at the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. The three main breeding areas in the province are in the vicinity of Lindsay, Kingston and Ottawa. In 1992, 52 breeding pairs were counted during a survey conducted by the OMNR, Long Point Bird Observatory and volunteers. In 1997, only 18 breeding pairs were found. Range Maps

Threats: Intensive farming practices, natural plant succession, reforestation and development have all reduced the amount of habitat available for the Loggerhead Shrike. Unwary young shrikes also have the unfortunate tendency to forage for dead insects on roads, where they may be killed by vehicles. Predation by cats and dogs may be an additional threat, especially in areas close to human habitation.

Protection: The Loggerhead Shrike is listed in regulation under Ontario's Endangered Species Act, 2007, which protects the species and its habitat. The Natural Heritage component of the Provincial Policy Statement under the Planning Act provides for the protection of significant habitat of endangered species. The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act also protects this bird. A National Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Plan was finalized in 1993, and work to implement the plan is ongoing, including the recent establishment of a captive breeding program through McGill University and Metro Toronto Zoo. With landowners' permission, 15 young shrikes were taken from 11 nests in 1997 for purposes of starting up a captive breeding colony. Other very important components of the recovery plan include annual shrike surveys, the quantitative description of habitats, and maintaining contact with landowners whose properties contain shrike habitat. Ontario's Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP) will provide 100% tax relief to private landowners for the portion of their property (minimum size 0.5 acres) determined to be habitat of species in regulation under the Endangered Species Act. The CLTIP program recognizes, encourages and supports private land stewardship.

For information on recovery initiatives for this species, visit the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery website.

Text Sources: Austen et al. 1994; Bull and Farrand 1977; Cadman 1991

Last Modified Date: October 2008