Thanks to support from the Foundation, Parc Oméga is actively involved in the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program, a conservation initiative led by the Wildlife Conservancy of Canada (WCC), as a captive breeding center.

The Eastern Loggerhead Shrike is one of Canada’s most endangered songbirds. Once widely distributed in southeastern Canada, its population has fallen dramatically in recent decades. It occupied mainly open grasslands and agricultural landscapes with bushes and perches, such as fences and wires. Today, the species has disappeared from most of its historic range in Canada, and only a few dozen breeding pairs remain in the wild in Ontario. This decline is mainly due to habitat loss and degradation, declining insect prey, vehicle collisions and the effects of climate change.

As a breeding center, we house and care for breeding pairs throughout the season, ensuring their well-being, reproduction and the rearing of their chicks in a safe, controlled environment. Our facilities maximize the chances of reproductive success and ensure the survival of young birds.

Once the young shrikes are old enough, they are transferred by SWC to carefully selected reintroduction sites in Ontario, where they are released back into the wild. These releases take place close to habitats that have been restored and actively managed to meet the species’ specific needs.

In addition, SWC provides post-release monitoring, coordinates overall program management and conducts ongoing research to better understand the threats facing the species. These efforts include telemetry tracking, reproductive success analysis and monitoring of released populations.

Together, we’re helping to re-establish a viable and sustainable population of this iconic and critically endangered species, using an approach based on science, collaboration and long-term commitment.

Together, let’s protect this rare and precious species: make a donation today!