Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | NT - Near Threatened |
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| NatureServe | N4 - Apparently Secure S2B - Imperiled Breeding |
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| Minnesota | Endangered In 1984, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) classified the Loggerhead Shrike a threatened species. In 2013, the DNR elevated its status to endangered. Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description |
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A black mask extends over the eye and across the face over the bill. There is no white stripe over the eye. The breast and underparts are faintly gray, not barred. |
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Size |
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8″ to 10″in length 12″ wingspan |
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Voice |
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Similar Species |
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Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is slimmer and has a slimmer bill. It does not have a black mask. Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) is only seen in Minnesota in winter. The black mask is narrower and does not extend across the face over the bill. There is a white stripe over the eye. The breast and underparts are lightly barred. Northern Shrikes and Loggerhead Shrikes are similar in appearance and difficult to distinguish from the distance at which they are usually seen. They are best identified by the time of year they are spotted. If a shrike is seen in Minnesota in the winter, it is almost certainly a Northern Shrike. If it is seen in the summer, it is definitely a Loggerhead Shrike. |
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Habitat |
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Shortgrass prairies and abandoned agricultural fields with shrubs, small trees, fences, or other perching sites. |
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Biology |
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Migration |
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Early March to late April and August to late September |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Mostly large insects but also small birds, rodents, shrews, amphibians, and reptiles. |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Occasional to uncommon summer migrant, rare and local breeder, rare to absent in winter. |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Passeriformes (perching birds) | ||
Family |
Lanidae (shrikes) | ||
Genus |
Lanius (typical shrikes) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Grinnell’s Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus grinnelli) Island Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi) Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus) Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus miamensis) Mexican Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mexicanus) Migrant Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus migrans) Prairie Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides) San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi) |
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Synonyms |
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Visitor Photos |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Loggerhead Shrike Allen Chartier |
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| Loggerhead Shrike Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren |
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| Loggerhead Shrike JMC Nature Photos |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this bird. |
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Other Videos |
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| World's Weirdest - Cute Bird Impales Its Prey NatGeoWild |
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About
Published on Jun 15, 2012 World's Weirdest: Freaks of the Sky : SUN OCT 14 at 4P et/pt : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com It might look like a lightweight, but the shrike is a stone-cold killer. The thorns of the acacia tree are perfect for impaling prey, and they double as a pantry. Lizard on the barbie, anyone? |
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| The Audubon Moment - The Loggerhead Shrike The Audubon Moment |
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About
Published on May 19, 2014 Loggerhead Shrikes are the little song birds that act like much larger birds of prey. Instead of killing with talons like a raptor, these birds kill with their beaks. Victims are then impaled on a thorn to be eaten, piece by piece. At least he looks cute! |
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| Loggerhead Shrike - (Lanius ludovicianus) Mark Vance |
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About
Uploaded on Feb 20, 2012 Loggerhead Shrike - (Lanius ludovicianus) By: Mark H. Vance - Be sure to check out all of Mark's bird videos at http://www.youtube.com/markinsrq5 Please subscribe if you like birds, many more great videos to come! Thanks Mark Vance The Celery Fields - Sarasota, Florida Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/groups/218447741581516/ |
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| Loggerhead Shrike impaled small snake on barbed wire luluhachidori |
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About
Uploaded on Oct 11, 2009 |
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| Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus Stoil Ivanov |
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About
Published on Jun 25, 2013 Loggerhead Shrike ( Lanius ludovicianus ) video taken on Antelope Island Utah 6-10-2013 |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Tera Olson |
Location: Elk River, Spikes store appeared injured but we went back to find it later and could not locate it |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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