*Oology is a branch of ornithology studying bird eggs, nests and breeding behaviour. The word is derived from the Greek oion, meaning egg.
13. Loggerhead Shrike
This part of the Stanislaus Audubon Website is focused on 44 common Central Valley nesting species with background about their nesting habits. Please check the Great Valley Museum Central Valley Egg Collection starting page for links to all the featured species.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE NESTING INFORMATION (From birdsoftheworld.org)
Nests - In sedentary populations (Central Valley), individuals remain paired during winter, which may keep reproductive cycles synchronized and enable mates to begin nesting early in spring. Nest locations are apparently based more on degree of cover provided than on particular tree or shrub species. Trees with thorns usually preferred, probably to provide increased protection from predators. Nest has open cup, is bulky, well made of rootlets, twigs, forbs, bark strips neatly woven together.
Eggs - Oval, grayish buff, marked with dark colors near large end. Clutch size is usually 5 or 6 (range 4 to 7).
Incubation - Only female incubates and during that time, she is fed majority of her food on nest by male. Incubation period is 15 to 17 days.
Fledging - Altricial young and leave nest in 16 to 20 days
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