Loggerhead Shrike Predation on a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

Abstract

The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) commonly inhabits open landscapes in a variety of habitats throughout most of North America, including Mexico. The species is known for impaling prey on sharp objects, leaving the item behind, possibly using impalement as a food cache method. Here we describe a successful predation attempt on a rattlesnake.