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Grey ButcherbirdAlternative names: "Collared Butcherbird", "Collared Crow-shrike", "Derwent Jackass", "Tasmanian Jackass", "Whistling Jackass" |
Sightings
Although easy to hear out in the bush, it took us three years to obtain a photo and thereby securely identify a Grey Butcherbird in our area, near Narrabri, New South Wales, where one finds subspecies "leucopterus". They were permanent residents 20 km south of Narrabri in 2003-2006; there is also a family 20 km east of Narrabri in 2007/08. While staying in bushland while there was sufficient rain, they only came to our place for bathing and drinking water starting in March 2008, when there had been no rain for several weeks.
Seen by us also on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008, basically everywhere we went.
Also seen at Dorrigo National Park, northern NSW, in July 2009.
Photos
Subspecies "torquatus"
Lateral view of a Grey Butcherbird (subspecies "torquatus") looking for food (click on image for larger version)
Subspecies "leucopterus"
Frontal view of a Grey Butcherbird (subspecies "leucopterus") (click on image for larger version)
The same bird as above after turning around... (click on image for larger version)
Adult Grey Butcherbird (click on image for larger version); note the disproportionally tiny legs and feet, compared to the size of the bird's body
Immature Grey Butcherbird (subspecies "leucopterus") visiting one of our water bowls - a quick dip in... (click on image for larger version)
out again ... (click on image for larger version)
... some preening - clean! (click on image for larger version)
Once dry, strut your stuff where you can be seen...
Immature Grey Butcherbird cooling down in the shade on a hot summer's day (click on image for larger version)
Grey Butcherbird flying a hairpin curve
Habits
Where we lived until late 2006, on the edge of Jack's Creek State Forest, Grey Butcherbirds did not often come out into the open farmland. Rather, they preferred to stay in wooded areas, marking their territories from perches on tall trees, from where their calls carry over long distances.
20 km east of Narrabri, they stay in the bush during summer, but come close to the house in wintertime to hunt, mostly from fenceposts and nearby trees.