Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) Habitat and Hunting Perch Use
(Drawing by David Utterback)
The range of the Loggerhead Shrike is declining across North America, as are its numbers. Habitat loss, and specifically loss of suitable hunting perches (where the bird sits and waits to find prey)is suspected as the primary cause.
My thesis work involves behavioral study of Loggerhead Shrikes and examination of habitat surrounding hunting perches used by the shrikes and comparing this habitat to that surrounding perches that the shrikes do not use, in order to determine what constitutes "good" shrike habitat for conservation purposes.
