Northern Shrike

Until very recently, these birds were classified as Great Grey Shrikes that are found across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Northern Shrikes are the larger of the two Lanius species that breed in North America. The bird is now treated as a separate species by the American Ornithological Society due to the differences observed in its plumage and mtDNA. Northern Shrikes are captivating birds because they are small in size, but can be ferocious predators, which has earned them the moniker of “butcher birds”. With their hooked beaks and killer instincts, they have been known to frequently prey on birds that are larger than themselves, such as Doves, Jays, and Robins.

About Northern Shrikes

As the name suggests, the birds live in the North American continent throughout the year. During the breeding seasons, they inhabit regions from Labrador and Quebec to western Alaska. During non-breeding seasons, the birds fly south to overwinter in southern Canada and the northern United States. However, in recent years the birds have been spotted as far south as New Mexico and Arizona.

While the birds practice monogamy, they typically do not mate for life. Nevertheless, during the breeding season, male Northern Shrikes are attentive to the needs of their mate. Males will often fetch prey to feed their mate and will fiercely protect her from potential predators. Even though the pair bond is strong during the mating season, it tends to weaken come winter, when alternate mates may be found. Northern Shrikes seem especially interesting, don’t they? Let’s learn a little more about them.

● Northern Shrike Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● Northern Shrike Size, Eating behavior, Habitat
● Northern Shrike Range and Migration, Nesting

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Northern Shrike Color Pattern

The upper bodies of Northern Shrikes found in the Arctic forests are primarily gray, while the lower bodies can be white or buffy. Spotting or markings are not visible on any part of the body. The birds have large rounded gray heads with a striking black stripe across the eye, that extends behind the eye into the auricular area.

The wings have definitive black markings and white flashes, although the latter is only exposed when the bird is in mid-flight. The underparts are much paler than the back, and often finely barred with gray. The gray wash extends down to the flanks of the bird.

Juvenile plumages are more brownish than adult plumages, with fine brownish bars on the underside. The distinctive black mask is much narrower by comparison. While adult plumages are similar in both sexes, females have been observed to have more brown tones on their breasts and throat as compared to their male counterparts.

Northern Shrikes follow a complex molt pattern, wherein feathers may be partially replaced. The partial molting pattern perhaps helps explain why the basic and alternate plumages are similarly colored.

Description and Identification

Northern Shrikes are plump, medium-sized passerines. The birds primarily appear gray on the top and whitish on the undersides. The most striking feature to look for is their hooked and toothed jet black bills. This is a powerful tool that allows the bird to be ferocious hunters and takedown preys bigger than themselves. The long tail can be used to
differentiate the species. It begins with black central rectrices and has progressively broader white tips.

It is easy to confuse these birds with their southern relative the Loggerhead Shrike, due to them having similar plumages. However, Northern Shrikes are much larger than Loggerhead Shrikes, and on average have heavier bills that enable them to be better hunters.

Northern Shrike Song

Both sexes produce songs throughout the year. These songs tend to be complex and contain an intricate mix of warbles, chatters, trills, gurgles, whistles, and harsh notes. Northern Shrikes can produce complex and variable vocalizations, that tend to be stereotyped. These vocalizations consist of short, complicated music phrases that often
include brief trills, buzzes but are rarely more than two syllables. Some call notes are more distinctive and produced to serve a specific purpose, whereas others are more variable and used in multiple contexts.

Juveniles initially produce calls to beg for food using “waik”, and notify the parents that they are leaving the nest using “shraak”. Over the first summer, they begin singing in low amplitude, employing repetitive notes like “beek, beek, beek” or short phrases like “twiddle-eep”.

Adults use short rhythmic songs throughout the year which sound like “twer-leep”, “twer-leep”, and “twiddle-eep – twiddle-eep.” Infrequently, the birds may also use the longer primary song, which is typically a disjointed performance interrupted by harsh notes.

Northern Shrike Size

Northern Shrikes are medium-sized, chunky, bull-headed birds. On average, Adult Northern Shrikes weigh between 56 to 79 grams and are between 23 to 24 cms long from head to tail. The adults have an average wingspan of 30 to 35 cms. No sexual dimorphism is observed. Scattered evidence suggests that minimal geographical size differences exist. In the Atlantic region the mean adult wingspan was 114 millimeters whereas, in Alaska, the mean male adult wingspan was 117 millimeters.

Northern Shrike Behavior

Despite their small size, Northern Shrikes can be ferocious hunters. While hunting for prey, Northern Shrikes seldom walk on the ground. However, they may make short running dashes to startle or catch up to prey on the ground.

Their flight style is generally heavy and laborious with rapidly flapping wings. These birds have the capacity to hover over their prey for brief periods of time while continuously changing their height and position. During a standard day, the birds are capable of flying at an average speed of 33 mph but can increase this to 45 mph for short periods.

Although the birds are territorial, they are generally sociable. Outside the breeding season, groups of breeding birds will come together and interact. They chatter and call each other for up to an hour! They may even take part in communal flight displays. Nonetheless, during the breeding season, the birds tend to keep to their bonded pairs and don’t socialize.

Northern Shrikes have a fantastic courting ritual. The initial stages include males singing songs and performing aerial displays to entice the female. Furthermore, males might impale prey in conspicuous places. They are careful when selecting their prey, as the size of the cache is considered to be indicative of the male’s heath.

Northern Shrike Diet

A unique feature of this species is that they are pure carnivores. While it is typical for them to consume insects and small vertebrates such as caterpillars and ants, they generally hunt for larger species. They employ the toothlike spike on either side of the lower mandible to efficiently kill their prey with a quick bite to the neck.

They scan the area and stealthily chase their prey; then they strike at opportune moments by emerging from dense bushes to ambush the prey. This brilliant strategy has allowed them to consume songbirds, small mammals such as mice, and occasionally lizards.

To kill animals larger and heavier than themselves, Northern Shrikes dive the bird to the ground to complete the kill and feast on their prey. It’s fascinating to discover how innovative these blood-thirsty birds can be. Occasionally, wintering Northern Shrikes feed on roadkilled animals or even dead livestock.

Northern Shrike Habitat

Northern Shrikes are native to the open areas in the arctic boreal forest, especially at the northern edge where the forest blends into the tundra. The trees in this area are scattered and stunted, which leaves openings in the landscape.

The nesting site is usually in the dense cover of white or black spruce, mountain alder, or felt leaf willow trees. Northern Shrikes avoid open tundra regions that lack bushes; however, they also avoid forest regions that have a complete, dense forest cover.

The overwintering habitat chosen is similar to the breeding habitat. The winter habitat is also a partially covered landscape that may include clear-cuts, forest edges around wetlands, and overgrown pastures.

Range and Migration

During the breeding season, Northern Shrikes can be seen inhabiting the arctic forests from Labrador and Quebec to western Alaska. In the fall, birds have been observed to leave their breeding site between October and November.

No evidence is available on the route these birds take, but researchers have speculated that they follow the river valleys out of the boreal forest that flow south. They arrive at the overwintering habitat within a few days.

During the spring season, the birds leave the southern winter habitats and fly back to the north. This process usually starts between February and April, depending on where the birds overwinter. Generally, the further south the winter habitat, the earlier the migration begins.

Northern Shrike Lifecycle

Northern Shrike clutch sizes range from 3-9 eggs per brood, with 1 brood per season. If the second clutch is produced it is smaller than the first, and usually is only produced if the first was damaged. The egg incubation period can last anywhere between 17 to 21 days. The eggs appear short, elliptical, and greenish-white or greyish-white with distinct olive-brown markings.

After hatching, the birds grow very rapidly, with the body mass doubling in 48 hours. Even though the fight feathers do not fully grow until day 18, the hatchlings leave the nest before day 18. Juveniles become fully independent within 3 to 6 weeks and reach sexual maturity after one year (both sexes).

The average lifespan of Northern Shrikes is 4 years for both sexes. However, the oldest Northern Shrike observed was 12 years old!

Nesting

Northern Shrikes generally begin the nesting process in April and May. The pair constructs the nest together, although males collect the majority of the materials, in one to two weeks. Often, nests constructed in the previous year are resued, albeit with a few minor alterations. The nests are usually quite large, measuring between 20 to 28 cm in outer diameter. The nests are constructed using moss, twigs, loose fabrics, and rarely, they may also be made up of trash!

The inner diameter measures between 8 to 12 centimeters and 10 to 15 centimeters deep. The inside of the nest is lined with roots, lichen, soft hairs, and feathers. The nest is deep enough to completely shield the female from view.

The nests are constructed in centrally located regions in the established territory as this makes it easier for the birds to monitor their nests by resting on convenient perches.

Anatomy of a Northern Shrike

Northern Shrikes are plump, medium-sized birds with a striking black mask and fine gray barring on the underbelly. Northern Shrike plumages have 10 functional primaries, 9 secondaries, including 3 tertials, and 12 rectrices.

Furthermore, the bill changes color throughout the bird’s life. The bill of an adult male is jet black, whereas the bill of juveniles is horn-colored. The heavy black bill is toothed and hooked at the tip. This feature is very important for these birds as they use it to hunt and catch prey.

Although Shrikes do not have talons, their feet are strong and can be used for seizing birds in flight. These feet are brownish-gray in nestling and black in adults.

Final Thoughts

These humble birds are sharp hunters that are capable of great feats. Their innovative hunting tactics have allowed them to survive by finding food in partially covered arctic forests. They have a predatory behavior that is uncommon for songbirds, who generally tend to be docile. Their ability to efficiently lure and ambush prey has rightly earned them the nickname of “butcher birds”. They are sociable birds who are fiercely protective of their mates. During the breeding
season, the males closely guard the nest by perching on a nearby branch and keeping a lookout. The concern for their nest and breeding territory has allowed their population to grow despite human intrusion.

The combination of their hunting prowesses and concern for their mates has allowed this population to continue thriving despite changes in the environment. In recent years, the birds have appeared further south, perhaps in an attempt to adapt to newer wintering habitats.

Ornithology

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Bird Watching Binoculars for Identifying Northern Shrikes

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Northern Shrikes are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

Northern Shrike Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Northern Shrike. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders For Northern Shrikes

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Bird Houses For Northern Shrikes

There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. If you spend a little extra money on bird houses, it will be well worth every penny and they’ll look great.

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