Editing Loggerhead shrike (section)

==Description==
[[Image:Loggerhead Shrike florida RWD6.jpg|right|thumb|In Florida]]

The loggerhead shrike is a medium-sized passerine.<ref name="chapman1904">{{cite book| last= Chapman |first= F.| year= 1904| title= Handbook of birds of eastern North America| edition= 6th | place= New York, New York| publisher= Appleton and Company| isbn= }}</ref> "Loggerhead" refers to the relatively large size of the head as compared to the rest of the body. The wing and tail length are about {{cvt|3.82|in|cm|sigfig=3}} and {{cvt|3.87|in|cm|sigfig=3}} long, respectively.<ref name= "chapman1904"/> It weighs on average {{cvt|50|g|sigfig=2|order=flip}}, with a range of {{cvt|45|–|60|g|sigfig=2|order=flip}} for a healthy adult shrike.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Craig | first1 = R | last2 = DeAngelis | first2 = D | last3 = Dixon | first3 = K | year = 1979 | title = Long- and short-term dynamic optimization models with application to the feeding strategy of the loggerhead shrike | doi = 10.1086/283363 | journal = The American Naturalist | volume = 113 | issue = 1| pages = 31–51 | bibcode = 1979ANat..113...31C }}</ref>

;Measurement ranges<ref>{{Cite web|title=Loggerhead Shrike Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology |url= https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike/id|access-date=2020-09-27|website= allaboutbirds.org|language=en}}</ref>
* '''Length''': {{cvt|7.9|–|9.1|in|cm|sigfig=2}}
* '''Weight''': {{cvt|1.2|–|1.8|oz|g|sigfig=2}}
* '''Wingspan''': {{cvt|11.0|–|12.6|in|cm|sigfig=3}}

The adult plumage of the loggerhead shrike is grey above with a white to pale grey breast and black tarsi and feet. The bird possesses a black mask that extends across the eyes to its bill. The wings are black with a distinct white patch on the [[Flight feather|primaries]]. The tail is black edged with white and the irises are brown.<ref name="chabot1994">{{cite book| last= Chabot |first= A.| year= 1994| title= Habitat selection and reproductive biology of the loggerhead shrike in eastern Ontario and Quebec| place= Montreal |publisher= McGill University Libraries}}</ref> The beak is short, black, and hooked, and contains a tomial tooth to help tear into prey.<ref name="miller1931">{{cite journal | last1 = Miller | first1 = A | year = 1931 | title = Systematic revision and natural history of the American shrikes (Lanius) | journal = University of California Publications in Zoology | volume = 38 | issue = 2| pages = 11–242 }}</ref> It is difficult to sex an adult loggerhead shrike in the field as they are sexually monochromatic.<ref name="sustaita2014">{{cite journal | last1 = Sustaita | first1 = D | last2 = Owen | first2 = C | last3 = Villarreal | first3 = J | last4 = Rubega | first4 = M | year = 2014 | title = Morphometric tools for sexing loggerhead shrikes in California | journal = The Southwestern Naturalist | volume = 59 | issue = 4| pages = 562–569 | doi=10.1894/ekl-06.1}}</ref> However, several studies have reported [[sexual dimorphism]] in plumage and size traits.<ref name="miller1931" /><ref name="sustaita2014" /><ref name="collister1996">{{cite journal | last1 = Collister | first1 = D | last2 = Wicklum | first2 = D | year = 1996 | title = Intraspecific variation in Loggerhead Shrikes: sexual dimorphism and implication for subspecies classification | journal = The Auk | volume = 113 | issue = 1| pages = 221–223 | doi=10.2307/4088949| jstor = 4088949 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Juveniles possess a paler gray plumage that is subtly [[Vermiculation|vermiculated]].<ref name="natgeo">{{cite book | title=National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America | first1=Jon Lloyd |last1=Dunn|first2= Jonathan K.|last2= Alderfer |publisher= National Geographic Books| year= 2006 | page= 312 | isbn = 9780792253143 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gA-rfkTZi1YC&pg=PA312 }}</ref>

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.<ref name=natgeo/>

===Vocalization===
[[File:LoggerheadShrike-21DEC2017.jpg|alt=Loggerhead Shrike in Yolo County, California|thumb|In Yolo County, California.]]
Their vocal range is broad and varied, and has been described as harsh and jarring.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Frost | first1 = E | year = 1885 | title = The loggerhead shrike in New Hampshire | journal = The Auk | volume = 2 | issue = 4| page = 379 | doi=10.2307/4625312| jstor = 4625312 }}</ref> The shrike's notes include squeaky whistles, shrill trills, and guttural warbles.<ref name="chapman1904"/> The trills sung by males during breeding season vary in rhythm and pitch. When alarmed, a shrike will produce a "schgra-a-a" shriek while spreading out its tail feathers. A distinctive alarm call is often given when threats from above are detected. Nestlings will make "tcheek" and "tsp" sounds shortly after hatching.<ref name="soendjoto1995">{{cite book| last= Soendjoto |first= M.| year= 1995| title= Vocalization behavior of captive loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides)| place= Montreal | publisher= McGill University Libraries}}</ref> During courtship feedings, females may ask for food with "mak" begging notes; conversely, males emit "wuut" or "shack" sounds to offer food.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Cade | first1 = T | year = 1992 | title = Hand-reared loggerhead shrikes breed in captivity | journal = Condor | volume = 94 | issue = 4| pages = 1027–1029 | doi=10.2307/1369306| jstor = 1369306 }}</ref> The male emits a territorial, harsh shriek, while the female's song is pitched lower and softer than the male's. Generally, the male is far more vocal than the female.<ref name="chabot1994"/><ref name="soendjoto1995"/>