The pied butcherbird is a songbird native to Australia. Described by John Gould in 1837, it is a black and white bird 28 to 32 cm long with a long hooked bill. Its head and throat are black, making a distinctive hood; the mantle and much of the tail and wings are also black. The neck, underparts and outer wing feathers are white. The juvenile and immature birds are predominantly brown and white. As they mature their brown feathers are replaced by black feathers. There are two recognised subspecies of pied butcherbird.
Region
Australia
Typical Environment
Widespread across mainland Australia, from the tropical north through arid interior zones to temperate regions of the east and west. It favors open forests, woodlands, lightly timbered rangelands, and agricultural landscapes. The species also frequents urban parks, golf courses, and roadside trees where cover and open ground are interspersed. It is generally absent from dense rainforests and treeless deserts, and rare in Tasmania.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A superb songster, the pied butcherbird is famed for its rich, flute-like phrases and frequent mimicry of other species and sounds. It is an agile predator that sometimes wedges or impales prey to tear it apart, a behavior that inspired the name 'butcherbird.' Generally tolerant of people, it readily occupies farms, parks, and town edges but can prey on small birds and nestlings. Two subspecies are recognized across northern/interior and southern ranges.
Painting by John Gould
Subsp picatus at Slate Range (Gibson Desert)
Immature bird - City Botanic Gardens - Brisbane
Bomen Lagoon, North Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Temperament
territorial and confident
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups that defend year-round territories. Mostly monogamous, with cooperative helpers sometimes assisting at the nest. Nests are open cups placed high in trees, and birds vigorously defend them from intruders.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Rich, flute-like sequences with clear, bell-toned notes and intricate phrasing. Frequently includes mimicry and antiphonal duets, often delivered at dawn and dusk from exposed perches.
Plumage
Crisp black-and-white plumage with a glossy black hood and throat, black mantle and tail, and clean white underparts and neck forming a collar. Outer wing feathers show bold white panels. Juveniles are brown and white, gradually replacing brown with black as they mature.
Diet
Takes large insects, spiders, and other arthropods, along with small lizards, frogs, and occasionally small birds or rodents. Will scavenge carrion and sometimes accept scraps near human habitation. Known to wedge or impale prey on thorns or in forked branches to tear it apart efficiently.
Preferred Environment
Forages from perches in open habitats, scanning ground and low vegetation before pouncing. Hunts along woodland edges, fencelines, and open lawns or pastures, often returning to favored perches.
