Butcher Bird

Description:

Mid-sized, most growing up to 35cm in length. Colour ranges from black and white to mostly black with added grey plumage depending on species. They have a large, straight bill with distinctive hook at the end which is used to skewer prey. Butcher birds are native to Australasia.

Habitat:

Woodlands are the butcherbirds natural habitat but have adapted well to urbanization and can be found in leafy suburbs throughout Australia.

Notes:

They have high pitched complex songs. Female butcherbirds lay one or two eggs in a clutch. The nest is made from twigs, high up in a fork of a tree. The young will remain with their mother until almost fully grown. They tend to trail behind their mother and squeak incessantly while she catches food.