Operation Grassland Community
The Loggerhead Shrike
The loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), is designated as a Threatened species in western Canada and an Endangered species in eastern Canada. The loggerhead shrike has shown the greatest rate of decline in population of any passerine (perching bird) in Canada from 1970 - 1991.
The Threatened designation means that unless the man-made or natural causes of its decline are reversed, it may become an Endangered species.
Description
The loggerhead shrike is a bold and highly visible "robin-sized" bird. It has the hooked beak of a hawk but lacks the talons for holding its prey. Close inspection shows a disproportionately large or "logger" head. The loggerhead shrike is grey across the back, the wings are black and white, the chest and belly are white and the tail is black with white stripes along the sides. The most notable field mark is the black mask, a black stripe that extends from behind the eyes completely around the forehead.
Habits
The shrike hunts from perches of dead branches or utility wires for large insects such as grasshoppers, crickets and beetles. It occasionally feeds on small birds and other vertebrates. Most of its diet consists of large insects, which makes it beneficial to farmers. The shrike impales its food on thorns or barbwire or caches the food in the crotch of trees, an adaptaion that helps the bird compensate for its lack of grasping talons. This practice has earned the loggerhead shrike the common title of "Butcher Bird" after the way butchers hang meat. The well concealed nest is 15-20 cm (6-8 in.) in diameter and is usually placed 1-4 m (3-13 ft) above the ground near the trunk or, in a shrub, 1-2 m above the ground.
Reproduction
The loggerhead shrike arrives in Alberta in early May which coincides closely with the northern migration of their relative, the Northern Shrike. Beginning in mid May, the female will lay 4 - 8 greyish-brown eggs that she will incubate for 14 - 16 days. The male feeds the female during incubation and during the early days after hatching occurs. Fledging (first flight) occurs within 3 weeks but the young are still dependent on their parents 5 weeks after hatching.
Habitat
The shrike nests in densely branched trees, hedgerows, and shrubs in the grasslands of western Canada. It is commonly found nesting in thorny shrubs like buffalo berry and caragana. The loggerhead shrike appears to prefer areas of
of diverse vegetation height and does very well in areas that have a mix of short and tall grasses.
Limiting factors
The ultimate cause for the decline of the loggerhead shrike is unknown. Suggested causes for the decline include two factors that affect much of prairie wildlife: loss of suitable habitat and the use of certain pesticides. Other probable causes include climatic change, human disturbance, and increased competition with other species for the same prey.
What you can do
Report a sighting of a loggerhead shrike. If you see a shrike you can report the sighting to your local Fish and Wildlife Office or directly to Operation Grassland Community at the Eastern Irrigation District office at 362-1400. The Alberta Government supports the efforts of Operation Grassland Community by forwarding all sightings.
Mail in the attatched form 
. This would represent a first step in becoming involved in OGC to help ensure that wildlife will continue to be a very special part of the heritage and ecology of the prairies.
YOUR RESPONSE WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL TO PROTECT THE SHRIKES AND TO ENSURE YOUR PRIVACY.
Operation Grassland Community
Operation Grassland Community (OGC) is one of the non-government programs of the Alberta Fish and Game Association. OGC is a parent program to, and includes, the highly successful Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO). OGC maintains the same main objectives as OBO:
- promote awareness of profile species in Alberta
- protect habitat through landowner Voluntary Habitat Protection Agreements
- compile an annual Alberta population census of the representative species.
Private Stewardship
Operation Grassland Community recognises that habitat protected for a single species benefits many other species as well.
Most rural landowners have a close tie to, and understanding of, native wildlife and habitat. With this link has grown a long tradition of care and stewardship of natural areas and wildlife on the prairie.
Private stewardship programs, such as Operation Grassland Community and Operation Burrowing Owl, are a means of encouraging and giving overdue recognition to stewardship efforts by individual landowners. The importance of private stewardship in the prairies will only increase.
For more information contact:
Operation Grassland Community
Box 1644
Brooks, AB
Canada T1R 1C5
Phone: (403) 362-1400
Fax: (403) 362-6206
Email: dscobie@eid.awinc.com
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