Photo: Paul Hurtado / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Shrike
Lanius borealis
Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) is a member of the Laniidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 63.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Laniidae Shrikes
- Genus Lanius
- Species borealis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 63.4 g
- Diet
- Vertebrate hunters
- Family
- Laniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Northern Shrike preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Northern Shrike is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) is a species of bird in the Laniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL n.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 63.4 g, with a wing length of about 10.9 cm and a tail of around 10.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 12 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Northern Shrike?
The Northern Shrike is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 63.4 g.
Where does the Northern Shrike live?
The Northern Shrike is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL n, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Northern Shrike belong to?
The Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) belongs to the Laniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Northern Shrike eat?
The Northern Shrike preys mainly on other vertebrates.
Does the Northern Shrike migrate?
The Northern Shrike is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Northern Shrike endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Northern Shrike make?
1 real field recording of the Northern Shrike — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Northern Shrike's range?
The Northern Shrike has a mapped global range of about 12 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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