Loggerhead ShrikeThe Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Bronx Zoo has added to its collection the loggerhead shrike, a seemingly harmless-looking songbird best known for eating its prey after impaling its captives on thorns and barbed wire.
Also known as the “Butcher Bird,” the shrike will call attention to this fascinating species, which has been rapidly declining as a result of habitat change. The shrike can be seen near the zoo’s sea lion pool in an exhibit that replicates its declining grassland habitat. The exhibit is “decorated” with thorn bushes and even a barbed wire fence, which the shrike uses to hold its meals.
Grassland birds in general have become more vulnerable over time due to global warming, increased pesticide use, and other forces affecting their habitat. A severe population decline starting in the 1950s has dramatically reduced its range and numbers. Scientists estimate approximately 100 pairs remain in the wild in North America.
WCS has teamed up with the Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada, which is leading a captive breeding programme while conducting surveys to monitor shrike populations, and working with landowners and agricultural associations to help protect and enhance the shrike habitat.
“The exhibit was intended to bring attention to an endangered species that is losing ground as a result of habitat changes,” says Nancy Clum, Assistant Curator of Ornithology for the WCS. “Canada has a reintroduction programme for this species and we are hopeful that there may eventually be a similar programme on this side of the border.”
Also known as the “Butcher Bird,” the shrike will call attention to this fascinating species, which has been rapidly declining as a result of habitat change. The shrike can be seen near the zoo’s sea lion pool in an exhibit that replicates its declining grassland habitat. The exhibit is “decorated” with thorn bushes and even a barbed wire fence, which the shrike uses to hold its meals.
Grassland birds in general have become more vulnerable over time due to global warming, increased pesticide use, and other forces affecting their habitat. A severe population decline starting in the 1950s has dramatically reduced its range and numbers. Scientists estimate approximately 100 pairs remain in the wild in North America.
WCS has teamed up with the Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada, which is leading a captive breeding programme while conducting surveys to monitor shrike populations, and working with landowners and agricultural associations to help protect and enhance the shrike habitat.
“The exhibit was intended to bring attention to an endangered species that is losing ground as a result of habitat changes,” says Nancy Clum, Assistant Curator of Ornithology for the WCS. “Canada has a reintroduction programme for this species and we are hopeful that there may eventually be a similar programme on this side of the border.”
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