Black-backed butcherbird

The black-backed butcherbird is a species of bird in the family Artamidae. It is found in southern New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia.

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Distribution

Region

Australasia

Typical Environment

This species occurs in southern New Guinea and the Cape York Peninsula of northern Australia. It favors open forests, savanna woodlands, monsoon and gallery forests, and mangrove margins. It also uses forest edges, clearings, and lightly modified habitats near settlements. Birds typically hunt from exposed perches, moving between scattered trees and open ground.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size25–30 cm

Wing Span40–50 cm

Male Weight0.1 kg

Female Weight0.09 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A member of the Australasian family Artamidae, the black-backed butcherbird is noted for its rich, melodious song. Like other butcherbirds, it is a perch-and-pounce predator that may cache prey or impale it on thorns or sharp twigs. It inhabits southern New Guinea and Australia’s Cape York Peninsula, often along woodland edges and mangroves.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

territorial and alert

Flight Pattern

direct flight with short rapid wingbeats and brief glides

Social Behavior

Usually found in pairs or small family groups that defend territories year-round. The nest is a cup placed in a fork of a tree, and both parents tend the young. Courtship includes vocal duets and food offerings by the male.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Rich, fluty whistles and melodious phrases delivered from prominent perches. Phrases can be varied and may include snippets of mimicry of other species.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Clean black-and-white contrast with a glossy black back, wings, and tail, and white underparts. The head shows extensive white with a contrasting black face and nape forming a partial hood. The bill is robust and slightly hooked, typical of butcherbirds.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Primarily hunts large insects, spiders, and other arthropods, as well as small lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds or nestlings. Will take carrion and may accept scraps around settlements. Sometimes consumes berries or other plant matter opportunistically. Known to cache or impale prey to aid in feeding.

Preferred Environment

Forages from exposed perches along woodland edges, clearings, and mangrove fringes. Often drops to the ground to seize prey or sallies to catch items on foliage. Also hunts along tracks and in open savanna.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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