The northern shrike is a large songbird species in the shrike family (Laniidae) native to North America and Siberia. Long considered a subspecies of the great grey shrike, it was classified as a distinct species in 2017. Six subspecies are recognised.
Region
Northern North America and northeastern Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds across the boreal forest and scrub of Alaska, Canada, and northeastern Siberia, favoring open taiga edges, bogs, and tundra shrublands. In winter it disperses south into southern Canada and the northern United States, using farmlands, prairies, and open country with scattered trees and hedgerows. It prefers mosaic landscapes with prominent perches for hunting, such as fence posts and treetops. It avoids dense forests and extensive treeless interiors except where shrubs provide hunting perches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Continental
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A predatory songbird, the northern shrike hunts like a small raptor, often impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire to store for later. Long treated as a subspecies of the great grey shrike, it was elevated to full species status in 2017, with several subspecies recognized. It breeds across the boreal zone and moves south into more temperate open habitats in winter.
Northern shrike wintering in Scarborough Marsh (Cumberland County, Maine, United States)
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong direct flight with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it is mostly solitary, maintaining hunting territories and using prominent perches to scan for prey. During breeding, pairs form monogamous bonds and nest in conifers or dense shrubs, laying a clutch of 4–7 eggs. It often creates prey caches by impaling food items, which also helps tear tough prey.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a varied, musical warble with whistles and trills, often interspersed with harsh notes. It is an accomplished mimic, incorporating calls of other birds into its repertoire.
