LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE SIGHTINGS

          Loggerhead shrikes are declining across much of their range.  In Canada, the Eastern subspecies is considered critically endangered, with less than 35 pairs found in 2009. The vast majority of pairs now breed in Ontario.  An extremely active and multi-faceted recovery program is underway for this species in Ontario, including a captive breeding and release program.

          This program has been releasing approximately 100 juvenile shrikes annually since 2006.  While much is known and has been learned about this species, a critical piece of the puzzle is still missing:  where exactly do these birds spend the winter?

          To maximize our chances of locating wintering areas and better define migration routes we will be coloring the breast of released young produced from the captive breeding program, to make them more detectable by birders. Birds will be released over July and August.

          Birds will have an extensive area of their breast colored in green, blue or purple.  All released birds, and a large proportion of the wild population, are also color banded.

          If you see a shrike with a colored breast and/or wearing bands, please report it to Wildlife Preservation Canada at (EM:

jessica AT wildlifepreservation.ca, PH: 519-836-9314, FX: 519-836-8840).

We will need details about specific location (GPS coordinates are ideal, but not essential) and color(s) (breast and/or bands) seen.