sandeyeAnother extract from OAFF
November 2nd 2007 18:34
The Grey Butcherbird is common all across Australia. Its territory is statewide in NSW, Tasmania, and Victoria. Most of Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia are also utilized, and about half of the Northern Territory also. They tend to favor woodland and forest areas, however they can additionally be found in suburbia. Approximately 27cm long, birds tend to weigh around 100g.
I have seen an individual on only three or four occasions, originally wondering what it was. It appeared like a miniature Kookaburra in shape, so I assumed it must be a Kingfisher. On investigation, I discovered it was a Butcherbird.
Unlike its cousins the Black Butcherbird and the Pied Butcherbird, the Grey Butcherbird is not all black, or black and white. The individual I witnessed sitting on our carport roof edge, staring down at me tossing out dinner scraps to the Pigeons, was a fluffy beige bellied specimen, with otherwise dark brown plumage. Adult members tend to be gray-white in the belly region and have a black face and head, gray back and wings, large black-gray bill with a small hooked tip, and a white collar. I assume therefore, that the bird I spotted, which happily swooped down to the lawn to snatch up a piece of cheese that I threw towards it, was a youngster.
OAFF is available for preview/purchase at www.lulu.com/winterbear
I have seen an individual on only three or four occasions, originally wondering what it was. It appeared like a miniature Kookaburra in shape, so I assumed it must be a Kingfisher. On investigation, I discovered it was a Butcherbird.
OAFF is available for preview/purchase at www.lulu.com/winterbear
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