Scientific Name: Lanius ludovicianus

Residency: Year round resident of Arizona.

Diet: Hunts insects. When food is in abundance, the Shrike will often store food by impaling it upon a sharp pointed object for later use. When insects are not prevalent, this bird will kill small mammals (like mice), reptiles, frogs, and even some birds as large as the Northern Mockingbird. A Loggerhead Shrike kills birds and rodents by descending upon the prey from above, thrusting its bill into the base of the skull, and using the curved portion of the bill to sever the prey?s spinal cord.

Predators: Owls, hawks and falcons.

Nesting: The male Shrike displays carcasses of impaled birds and insects close to the breeding period. Once the female has chosen her mate, the two then construct the cup-shaped nest together.  They have 1-2 broods per year, each consisting of 4-7 eggs (off-white with dark markings).

Nesting Records:

Notes: Distinguished by its black mask across the eyes. Although it is a songbird, the Loggerhead Shrike acts like a small bird of prey: it uses sharp objects (barbed wire fences and thorns) to skewer prey so it can tear the flesh apart (or store the food for later use). Hence, the Loggerhead Skrike earned the nickname of "Butcher Bird." This species lacks strong feet (raptors have strong talons to hold prey in place), but the beak does have a hooked tip for tearing flesh.  Populations have declined in the last 30 years.  Factors include: pesticide use killing its major food source - grasshoppers; increased human disturbances; reduction of suitable habitat, and increased competition with other birds such as the American Kestrel. 

Photo: Taken at Scottsdale Community College on February 6, 2004. For more photos, click on camera icon.

To return to bird species list, close or minimize this window.