The bird known as the butcherbird belongs to the genus Cracticus in the family Artamidae. Butcherbirds are songbirds found in Australia and the islands of Wallacea, New Guinea and New Zealand. There are 13 recognized species of butcherbirds, with the most widespread being the Australian magpie, the pied butcherbird, and the grey butcherbird.
Quick Answer
The grey butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) is the species most commonly referred to as “the butcherbird”.
Characteristics of the Grey Butcherbird
The grey butcherbird is a medium-sized songbird, measuring around 25-30 cm (10-12 in) long. Some key features include:
- Dark grey and white plumage with a black head and dark eyes
- Strong, hooked, grey beak
- Loud, musical call
- Omnivorous – eats small animals, insects, fruits and seeds
- Found in a variety of habitats across Australia
The grey butcherbird gets its name from its habit of impaling prey on thorns, tree forks or crevices. It constructs “larders” to store excess food. This behavior is what earned it the common name “butcherbird”.
Origin of the Name Butcherbird
The term “butcherbird” has been used to describe these birds since at least the 1760s. The earliest known use in print is found in John Latham’s book A General Synopsis of Birds from 1781:
“The butcher-birds are so called from their butchering smaller birds, and hanging them up on thorns, to be ready for use.”
The behavior of impaling prey led to comparisons to a butcher hanging up meat. Hence the name butcherbird became commonly used to refer to these voracious hunter-scavengers.
Not all butcherbird species display this gruesome impaling behavior to the same extent. The Australasian species within the genus Cracticus are the most notorious for it. Other names they have been known by include “butcher birds”, “throat-biters”, “scissor grinders” and “shirt-rippers”.
Prey of the Grey Butcherbird
The grey butcherbird feeds on a varied diet including:
- Insects – crickets, beetles, caterpillars
- Other invertebrates – spiders, scorpions, snails
- Small reptiles – lizards, geckos
- Nestlings and small birds
- Small mammals – mice, shrews, bats
- Eggs and carrion
- Fruit – figs, berries
- Seeds
It hunts by perching quietly on a branch or post and swooping down on prey. It also turns over leaf litter searching for hidden insects. Larger prey like lizards or mice are killed by bashing against a hard surface.
The butcherbird supplements hunting with scavenging. It will steal prey from smaller birds and raid nests for eggs and nestlings. Food is sometimes stored by impaling it on thorns or wedging it into forks or crevices. The bird can return to feed on it later.
Impaling Behavior
Impaling of prey isn’t fully understood but has a few possible purposes:
- To store excess food for later
- To make large prey easier to tear apart
- To display to rivals as a sign of dominance
- To attract a mate by demonstrating hunting prowess
This brutal impaling behavior added to the notoriety and common name of the butcherbird.
Distribution and Habitat
The grey butcherbird has a wide distribution across Australia as shown on the map below:
It occupies a range of habitats including:
- Woodlands and open forests
- Scrublands and heath
- Farmlands with scattered trees
- Suburban parks and gardens
Wherever there are trees and shrubs to provide cover, grey butcherbirds can thrive. They adapt readily to manmade environments.
Breeding
The breeding season for grey butcherbirds runs from August to January. They form monogamous pairs and defend a breeding territory.
Courtship involves the male singing beautifully melodious songs to attract a female. Once paired, the male continues serenading the female with quiet love songs.
Nests are built in the dense foliage of a tree, usually around 5-10m above the ground. It is cup shaped and constructed from sticks, bark, roots and stems intricately woven together and lined with grasses and leaves.
The female lays a clutch of 3-4 eggs which are incubated for 20 days until hatching. The chicks are born helpless and rely on the parents for food and protection. They fledge the nest at around 4 weeks old.
Breeding Season | August to January |
---|---|
Nesting | Cup shaped nest of sticks, bark, roots and grasses. Hidden in foliage of trees 5-10m up. |
Clutch Size | 3-4 eggs |
Incubation | By female for 20 days |
Fledging | Chicks leave nest at 4 weeks |
Vocalizations
The grey butcherbird has a beautiful, melodious song. Its calls are one of its defining features.
Songs consist of loud musical notes in groups of two or three phrases. Their calls can be heard throughout the day and are more frequent during breeding season.
Sings are used to defend territory and attract a mate. Both sexes can sing though the males are more vocal, especially in courtship.
Distinct calls are made when interacting with rivals or warning of predators. Soft chattering notes are used between paired birds and parents and chicks.
Conservation Status
The grey butcherbird remains widespread and common across most of Australia so is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Population trends are generally stable. Land clearing has benefitted the species in some areas by creating open habitats. There are no major threats to the species currently.
Significance to Humans
Cultural Significance
Butcherbirds feature in the mythology of some Indigenous Australians groups. For example, Yuwaalaraay and Euahlayi peoples tell stories of Biame the Creator God using the butcherbird as his helper.
The birds were admired for their beautiful song and seen as sly tricksters for their thieving of other birds’ eggs and food.
Pest Control
Butcherbirds help control insects and rodent populations. They occasionally prey on pest species which provides free pest control for farmers and households.
Music and Art Inspiration
The song of the butcherbird has inspired musical compositions and bush poetry. Artists and craftspeople are also inspired by its appearance and behaviors.
Conclusion
The butcherbirds earned their macabre name from their habit of impaling prey on thorns and branches. Of the various species, the grey butcherbird is the one most frequently referred to as “the” butcherbird.
This voracious hunter supplements hunting with scavenging and displays interesting food storing behaviors. It has adapted well to human changes to the landscape.
With a beautiful song and interesting habits, the butcherbird holds a special place in Australian culture. They are likely to remain a familiar sight across the continent into the future.