Pied Butcherbird

Description:

Stocky, black and white bird growing up to 35cm; head, throat, upper chest, back, wings and tail black, tail and wings edged with white, underbelly white, band around upper back.neck white; beal tip black the rest white/grey, the tip has a small sharp hook, legs dark. Young have similar markings but are more brown and mottled in colour until attaining full adult black and white colouring. Feeds on small birds, mice, lizards, insects and derives its name through the habit of tearing apart prey with the hooked beak and also the way it stores food in tree branches and on sharp objects such as barbed wire on fences (the butcher bird). Also known as a crow-shrike. The call is very melodious and during breeding season several birds can be seen and geard spiralling in mid air in a beautiful dance.

Habitat:

Found throughout Australia except the very southern coastline regions and Tasmania.