Loggerhead Shrike

Locations and Conditions of Key Habitat

Preferred Habitat

Loggerhead Shrikes use open habitat of short grass interspersed with bare ground and shrubs or low trees. They can be found using a variety of habitats including prairies, pastures, sagebrush, fencerows, shelterbelts, riparian areas, open woodlands, farmsteads, suburban areas, mowed road rights-of-way, and cemeteries. Scattered thick or thorny shrubs and trees are used for nesting, hunting perches, and prey impalement locations. Often an isolated tree within these habitats is chosen for the nest site. Nests are well concealed and placed 1-2.5 meters above the ground. Forage over shorter grass for arthropods, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and sometimes carrion. Average territory is 6-9 ha.

Key Areas and Conditions for Loggerhead Shrike in North Dakota

No specific sites have been identified. Most abundant west of the Missouri River, less common in the Red River Valley and Drift Prairie.

Problems Which May Affect this Species

Habitat

Conversion of grassland to cropland, energy development and urban expansion. Degradation of grasslands from invasive plants, succession, and loss of diversity. Excessive tree encroachment into prairie can have negative impacts. However, removal of all small trees and shrubs will limit nesting sites.

Other Natural or Manmade Factors

A number may be killed by automobiles when plucking injured or dead insects from roads. Brown-headed cowbird parasitism occurs but at low rates. The effect of contaminants is unclear but some data suggests the species decline coincides with the increased use of organochlorines in the 1940s-70s. Pesticides can limit prey abundance.

Research and Survey Efforts

Current Research or Surveys

• There is currently nothing specific to the species in North Dakota.

Previous Research or Surveys

• Long-term monitoring of shelterbelts in Sioux County for Loggerhead Shrike nests occurred from 1984 to 2010. The number of breeding pairs fluctuates but no consistent trend over time has been shown. Fledging success is high but return rate is low with the low return rate attributed to low site fidelity.
• Numerous published reports and gray literature on this species throughout its range.

Additional Research or Surveys Needed

• Explore possible sources of Loggerhead Shrike population declines.
• Determine the effects of pesticides on prey species.

Population and Trend Estimates

• PIF Global Population Estimate: 5,800,000
• PIF North American Population Estimate: 4,900,000
• PIF North Dakota Population Estimate: 100,000
• North Dakota BBS Trend: see figure 21
• Survey-wide BBS Trend 1966-2012: -3.18

Management Recommendations

• Maintain low, thick shrubs and trees along fence lines and other areas in pasture.
• Diversify shelterbelts by incorporating thorny trees and bushes such as hawthorn, hedge rose, or honey locust and plant a 2-4 meter strip of grass around shelterbelts.
• Use light grazing to reduce vegetation height, but keep a few areas of tall grass for small mammal prey.
• Protect old shelterbelts and nesting bushes from cattle grazing and rubbing.

Monitoring Plans

According to the Partners in Flight Landbird Conservation Plan, long-term population trend monitoring such as the Breeding Bird Survey is generally considered adequate, but may not account for some issues (e.g. bias). Ensuring all BBS routes are conducted annually is priority. Future monitoring proposals should follow recommendations North American Bird Conservation Initiative ‘Opportunities for Improving Avian Monitoring’.

2005-2015 Progress

The Loggerhead Shrike remains a Level II Species of Conservation Priority. Several State Wildlife Grant Projects (T2-11-HM, T-18-R, T-20-D, T-21-D, T-22-HM, T-23-HM, T-25-HM, T-28-L, T-37-D) have contributed to habitat enhancement grasslands for Loggerhead Shrike and other grassland dependent birds.

Note: A listing of works consulted when compiling the information on this page may be found in the 2015 State Wildlife Action Plan.