22 |
Pied Butcherbird |
Sightings
Pied Butcherbirds are common birds in the area around Narrabri, New South Wales. During their breeding season, their whistle is always audible over long distances.
Photos
Frontal view of a Pied Butcherbird adorning a flagpost (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a Pied Butcherbird (click on image for larger version)
Back of a Pied Butcherbird (click on image for larger version)
Dad and son practising their warble (click on image for larger version)
Here a closer view of a bird issuing its territorial call (click on image for full-size display)
Immature Pied Butcherbird perched on a twig in a tree
Next thing, a Striped Honeyeater joins it, singing its song (click on image for larger version)
Seconds later, the joung Pied Butcherbird starts begging for food... (click on image for larger version)
Habits
We have watched a Pied Butcherbird "butcher" a lizard by wedging it into a fork of two branches and then tearing away with its curved bill (see photos above).
Just like Australian Magpies, Pied Currawongs and other birds, Pied Butcherbirds are not strong enough to fight Willie Wagtails during the breeding season, which is the reason why they retreat into the bush in summertime.