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Loggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

Bird · family Laniidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G4: apparently secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G4 Apparently Secure[2]
Native in
40 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
11 years[4]

The Loggerhead Shrike is a songbird in the family Laniidae[5]. It is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act, and NatureServe records it as native in 40 US states and territories[1][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Loggerhead Shrike G4 globally and N4 in the United States, both meaning Apparently Secure[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Near threatened[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8]. NatureServe estimates more than 1,000,000 adults worldwide[9].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G4 (Apparently Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N4 (Apparently Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Near threatened
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] >1,000,000 individuals

Where Loggerhead Shrike lives

NatureServe lists the Loggerhead Shrike as native in 40 US states and territories, from Washington and California east to New York, Pennsylvania and Florida[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning gone or likely gone, in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia[10]. Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and Louisiana have the most online observation records, but that reflects how often observers report sightings, not how many birds live there[11].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHB,S1NMEWisconsin: native, state rank S1BWIVermont: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHBVTNew Hampshire: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHBNHWashington: native, state rank S3BWAIdaho: native, state rank S3IDMontana: native, state rank S3BMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank S1BMNIllinois: native, state rank S2ILMichigan: native, state rank SNRMINew York: native, state rank S1BNYMassachusetts: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,S1NMAOregon: native, state rank S3B,S2NORNevada: native, state rank S3NVWyoming: native, state rank S4BWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S3BSDIowa: native, state rank S3B,S3NIAIndiana: native, state rank S2BINOhio: native, state rank S1OHPennsylvania: native, state rank SNRBPANew Jersey: native, state rank S1NNJConnecticut: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank S4CAUtah: native, state rank S3UTColorado: native, state rank S3BCONebraska: native, state rank S3NEMissouri: native, state rank S2MOKentucky: native, state rank S3B,S4NKYWest Virginia: native, state rank S1B,S1NWVVirginia: native, state rank S1B,S2NVAMaryland: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHBMDDelaware: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHBDEArizona: native, state rank S3AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S3NMKansas: native, state rank S4B,S2NKSArkansas: native, state rank S3ARTennessee: native, state rank S1B,S2NTNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S2B,S3NNCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S3SCDistrict of Columbia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SHN,SXBDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S3LAMississippi: native, state rank S4B,S4NMSAlabama: native, state rank S3ALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4BTXFlorida: native, state rank S4FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (48 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS3Vulnerable
ArizonaS3Vulnerable
ArkansasS3Vulnerable
CaliforniaS4Apparently Secure
ColoradoS3BVulnerable (breeding)
ConnecticutSXNPresumed Extirpated (nonbreeding)
DelawareSHBPossibly Extirpated (breeding)
District of ColumbiaSHN,SXBPossibly Extirpated (nonbreeding), Presumed Extirpated (breeding)
FloridaS4Apparently Secure
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
IdahoS3Vulnerable
IllinoisS2Imperiled
IndianaS2BImperiled (breeding)
IowaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
KansasS4B,S2NApparently Secure (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
KentuckyS3B,S4NVulnerable (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
LouisianaS3Vulnerable
MaineSHB,S1NPossibly Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MarylandSHBPossibly Extirpated (breeding)
MassachusettsSXB,S1NPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
MichiganSNRNot Ranked
MinnesotaS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
MississippiS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
MissouriS2Imperiled
MontanaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
NebraskaS3Vulnerable
NevadaS3Vulnerable
New HampshireSHBPossibly Extirpated (breeding)
New JerseyS1NCritically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS3Vulnerable
New YorkS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
North CarolinaS2B,S3NImperiled (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OhioS1Critically Imperiled
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
OregonS3B,S2NVulnerable (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
PennsylvaniaSNRBNot Ranked (breeding)
South CarolinaS3Vulnerable
South DakotaS3BVulnerable (breeding)
TennesseeS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
TexasS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
UtahS3Vulnerable
VermontSHBPossibly Extirpated (breeding)
VirginiaS1B,S2NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WashingtonS3BVulnerable (breeding)
West VirginiaS1B,S1NCritically Imperiled (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS1BCritically Imperiled (breeding)
WyomingS4BApparently Secure (breeding)

Habitat

NatureServe records habitat types for this bird as shrubland, savanna, grassland, old field, desert and cropland with hedgerows[13]. It likes open country with scattered trees and shrubs[14]. Good perches for hunting are an important part of its habitat, and it often sits on poles, wires or fenceposts[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Loggerhead Shrike is about 23 cm (9 in) long and weighs about 47 g[15][16]. NatureServe records it as a carnivore and invertebrate eater[17]. One estimate of its diet is 70% invertebrates, 10% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians and 10% carrion[18]. It sometimes pins prey on a plant thorn or barbed wire[19]. AnAge records a typical clutch size of 5 and an incubation period of 11 days[20][21]. The oldest known wild bird was at least 11 years 9 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 23 cm (9 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 47 g (1.7 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[22] 12.5 years (wild)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 11 years 9 months
Litter or clutch size[20] 5
Gestation or incubation[21] 11 days
Female maturity[23] 365 days (about 1.0 years)
Food habits[17] Carnivore, Invertivore
Migration[24] non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[18]

  • 70% invertebrates
  • 10% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% carrion

When to look for it

The Loggerhead Shrike is diurnal, which means it is active in the daytime[25]. NatureServe describes it as non-migrant, local migrant or long-distance migrant, depending on the population[24]. Birds in the northern half of the breeding range move south for winter[26]. In Oklahoma and Missouri, birds begin to arrive and claim breeding territories in mid-February[26]. Most online records fall in January, April and December[27].

January: 181,449 recordsJanFebruary: 129,337 recordsFebMarch: 113,645 recordsMarApril: 135,805 recordsAprMay: 96,128 recordsMayJune: 65,129 recordsJunJuly: 60,986 recordsJulAugust: 84,736 recordsAugSeptember: 90,824 recordsSepOctober: 100,113 recordsOctNovember: 131,748 recordsNovDecember: 156,870 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January181,449
February129,337
March113,645
April135,805
May96,128
June65,129
July60,986
August84,736
September90,824
October100,113
November131,748
December156,870

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Loggerhead Shrike as present in 131 park units[28]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 107 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana[11]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Loggerhead Shrike endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it Apparently Secure, and the IUCN category it records is Near threatened[2][7].
Where does the Loggerhead Shrike live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 40 US states and territories[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in eight places in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic[10].
What does the Loggerhead Shrike eat?
It eats mostly large insects, and also small birds, lizards, frogs and rodents[19]. One diet estimate is 70% invertebrates[18].
How big is a Loggerhead Shrike?
It is about 23 cm (9 in) long and weighs about 47 g[15][16].
How long does a Loggerhead Shrike live?
The oldest known wild bird was at least 11 years 9 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Loggerhead Shrike is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Loggerhead Shrike: G4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Loggerhead Shrike as native in 40 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Loggerhead Shrike from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 11 years 9 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is a bird in the family Laniidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N4 (Apparently Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Near threatened. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Loggerhead Shrike is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe ranks Loggerhead Shrike as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont. NatureServe Explorer
  11. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Loggerhead Shrike: Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, Louisiana. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Loggerhead Shrike (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Loggerhead Shrike: Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Old field, Desert, Cropland/hedgerow. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Loggerhead Shrike. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 23 cm (9 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 47 g (1.7 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% invertebrates, 10% warm-blooded vertebrates, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% carrion. EltonTraits 1.0
  19. NatureServe notes on food for Loggerhead Shrike. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 5. AnAge
  21. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 11 days. AnAge
  22. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 12.5 years in the wild. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  23. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 365 days (about 1.0 years). AnAge
  24. NatureServe migration category for Loggerhead Shrike: non-migrant, local migrant, long-distance migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Loggerhead Shrike. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Loggerhead Shrike in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. NPSpecies park lists recording Loggerhead Shrike as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.