28 
OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION: BULLETIN 250 
SHRIKES 
The Shrikes have been a source of considerable contention to 
those interested in the nomenclature of birds as well as being- a 
source of great annoyance to those concerned with the cataloging of 
them. Two species and an equal number of sub-species occur in 
Ohio at sometime during the year.* 
The food habits and general characteristics of all the Shrikes 
are the same. Their bills are hooked like those of the birds of prey, 
proclaiming their murderous natures, but their feet are w T eak and 
harmless like those of other perching birds. 
NORTHERN SHRIKE, Lanius borealis (Vieil.) 
This Shrike is observed only as a rare winter resident, of 
regular occurrence in the extreme north, more irregular southward. 
It is a solitary bird, except when nesting. Individuals maybe found 
in towns as well as in field and woodland. Its food consists of birds, 
35 percent, of which English Sparrows comprise 10 percent; insects, 
40 percent, and mice, 25 percent. 
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, Lanius ludovicianus ludovtcianus (Linn.) 
Both this and the White-rumped Shrike occur over the state in 
summer, the former being more common southerly. A dead branch 
or other elevated perch is selected as a station from which to watch 
for prey. Mice, birds, or the larger insects comprise the usual fare. 
The practice of impaling their victims on thorns or sharp twigs, a 
practice common to all Shrikes, has caused them to be called 
“Butcher-birds.” 
The food of this species is much the same as that of the preced¬ 
ing, except that more insects are eaten. Mice constitute 16 per¬ 
cent, birds 8 percent, insects and allied forms 72 percent of the food 
for the entire year. Grasshoppers and crickets are eaten in large 
numbers during summer. Snakes and lizards are sometimes eaten. 
The balance for good in case of this species, contrary to its general 
reputation, is decidedly in its favor; however, it should not be 
tolerated about the garden where small insectivorous birds will be 
killed or driven away by it. 
CEDAR WAXWING 
CEDAR WAXWING, Bombycilla cedrorum (Vieil.) 
The Cedar Waxwing or Cedarbird is songless, in fact, almost 
voiceless, the only sound being a low, wheezy, whistled note, audible 
only to the practiced ear at no great distance. It is one of the most 
beautiful of our birds, but its unobtrusiveness not infrequently 
* The A. O. U. Check-list, third (revised) edition, includes under Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius 
ludovicianus ludovtcianus Linn.) the two sub-species (for Ohio) as follows: b. White-rumped Shrike 
( L. 1. excubitorides Swains.); e. Migrant Shrike {L. 1. migrans Palmer.) 
