Also uses areas of open cropland with adjacent hedgerows, fencerows, shrubs, or saplings. Frequently uses utility wires for perching. Tends to prefer habitats with grasses and forbs of relatively short to medium height and some bare ground for hunting. In the midwestern and eastern U.S., territories range from 2.5 to 24 acres. In Minnesota, shrikes foraged up to mile away from nest sites, while in New York nesting pairs foraged in areas ranging from 14 to 23 acres.
Juveniles appear to disperse widely.
Height of nest location typically increases as the breeding season advances. In Missouri, the mean distance from the periphery of the tree to the nest was 2.6 feet, while in New York this distance was usually more than 3 feet. Midwestern birds are thought to winter in the southeastern U.S. states. Spring migration runs from early April to mid-May. Unknown, but probably from 20 April to 15 July.