How big is a Northern Shrike?

The Northern Shrike is a medium sized bird weighing about 63 g.

Where can you see a Northern Shrike?

The Northern Shrike occurs in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Russia and Mongolia.

What birds look similar to a Northern Shrike?

The Northern Shrike is most easily confused with the Southern Fiscal, the Woodchat Shrike and the Long-tailed Shrike.

Is the Northern Shrike endangered?

The Northern Shrike is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Northern Shrike

Lanius borealis

Shrikes · Passeriformes · Common

The Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) is a common shrik found in 12 countries, weighing about 63 g. The northern shrike is a large songbird species in the shrike family (Laniidae) native to North America and Siberia.

Least ConcernCommonEats vertebratesshrublandcup nest63 g

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 1 — Photo: Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago · CC0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 2 — Photo: Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago · CC0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 3 — Photo: National Park Service, Alaska Region · Public domain

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 4 — Photo: National Park Service, Alaska Region · Public domain

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 5 — Photo: nigel · CC BY 2.0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 6 — Photo: CheepShot · CC BY 2.0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 7 — Photo: CheepShot · CC BY 2.0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 8 — Photo: CheepShot · CC BY 2.0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 9 — Photo: Caleb Putnam · CC BY 2.0

Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis), photo 10 — Photo: Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (1748 – 1831) · Public domain

About the Northern Shrike

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.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The loggerhead shrike can be distinguished from the northern shrike by its smaller size, darker grey plumage and larger black face mask that covers the eye completely. It also has a shorter bill with less prominent hook. Their calls are similar. Measurements: Length: 9.1–9.4 in (23–24 cm) Weight: 2.0–2.8 oz (57–79 g) Wingspan: 11.8–13.8 in (30–35 cm)

Where it lives

United States Canada China Russia Mongolia Japan St. Pierre & Miquelon Kazakhstan Bermuda South Korea

Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, Finland.

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a winter visitor species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Northern Shrike?: The loggerhead shrike can be distinguished from the northern shrike by its smaller size, darker grey plumage and larger black face mask that covers the eye completely. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Northern Shrike?: The Northern Shrike is a medium sized bird weighing about 63 g.
Where can you see a Northern Shrike?: The Northern Shrike occurs in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Russia and Mongolia.
What birds look similar to a Northern Shrike?: The Northern Shrike is most easily confused with the Southern Fiscal, the Woodchat Shrike and the Long-tailed Shrike.
Is the Northern Shrike endangered?: The Northern Shrike is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Northern Shrike for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.