Description 8-10" (20-25 cm). Slightly smaller
than Northern Shrike, and slightly darker gray above, white below,
with black face mask extending over bill.
Voice A variety of harsh and musical notes and trills; a thrasher-like
series of double phrases.
Habitat Grasslands, orchards, and open areas with scattered trees;
open grassy woodlands; deserts in the West.
Nesting 4-6 white eggs, spotted with gray and brown, in a bulky
mass of twigs and grass lined with plant down and feathers and
set in a thorny shrub or tree.
Range Breeds from southern British Columbia, central Alberta,
central Saskatchewan, southern Manitoba, southern Ontario and southern
Quebec, south throughout United States. Winters in southern half
of breeding range.
Discussion In the southern half of North America this species
is the counterpart of the Northern Shrike of the boreal regions
of Alaska and Canada. In behavior and choice of habitat the two
species are essentially similar, although the Loggerhead feeds
mainly on large insects such as locusts. In cold weather, when
insects are hard to find, it will hunt small birds or mice. The
Loggerhead impales its prey - usually a small bird, mouse, or insect
- on a thorn or barbed-wire fence which facilitates tearing it
apart then or at a later time; hence its vernacular name "Butcher
Bird."
