08/09/2023
Watch out for…shrikes!
Loggerhead Shrikes are a species at risk found in Grasslands National Park. They are typically found in open grasslands that have elevated perching locations, such as fences, trees or shrubs, particularly thorn thickets. Where their habitat is present, Loggerhead Shrikes often hunt along the roads because their prey can be seen more easily. Shrikes are commonly known as butcher birds, because they impale prey onto spikes, such as thorns on shrubs or barbs on wire fences. Although shrikes are technically songbirds, their hunting strategy is more similar to raptors, like eagles, hawks, and falcons. Young Loggerhead Shrikes follow their parents to watch them hunt, and eventually they practice hunting themselves. Young birds are particularly vulnerable to vehicle collisions during this period when they begin flying around and hunting, but are unfamiliar with vehicles.
This year park staff have installed temporary signs on the road where young birds have been observed hunting. The road signs include an image of a shrike and a recommended speed limit of 30 km/h. In general, visitors should respect all road signs, and slow down if they encounter wildlife on the road.
