The black butcherbird is a species of butcherbird in the family Artamidae. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Found from New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) south to northern Australia, especially Cape York Peninsula and nearby coastal regions. It favors lowland tropical rainforests, monsoon forests, and mangrove systems, and also uses forest edges and riparian thickets. The species typically keeps to dense cover but will hunt along clearings, tracks, and creek margins. It is generally absent from open grasslands and arid interiors.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black butcherbird is a large, all-black member of the butcherbird group known for a strong, hooked bill and rich, fluting calls. It inhabits tropical forests and mangroves across New Guinea and northern Australia. Like other butcherbirds, it is a capable predator that sometimes caches food by wedging it in forks or crevices. Juveniles are brown and mottled, gradually turning black as they mature.
Cairns Centenary Lakes - Australia
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short, direct flights with strong wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs holding year-round territories. Pairs build a sturdy stick nest in trees or mangroves and both sexes defend the nest vigorously. They are attentive parents and may aggressively exclude other birds from the vicinity.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, fluting whistles interspersed with harsher notes, often delivered from a prominent perch. Phrases are repeated and can carry far through the forest, especially at dawn. Calls include sharp scolds when alarmed.
Plumage
Uniform glossy black in adults; juveniles are brown with mottling and paler streaking before darkening with age.
Diet
Takes large insects, spiders, and a variety of small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, small birds, and occasionally small mammals. Will also consume fruits and berries when available. Hunts by watch-and-pounce from a perch, as well as by methodical gleaning among branches. Like other butcherbirds, may cache or wedge prey in crevices for later consumption.
Preferred Environment
Forages along shaded forest edges, mangrove channels, and riparian corridors. Often uses mid-story and lower canopy perches to scan for prey, dropping to the ground or into foliage to seize it.
