I am trying to identify a bird that I saw in Alice Springs. Unfortunately I don't have a picture clear enough to be of much help but it is bothering me that I don't know what it is. I would say it is a medium-sized bird with the entire head being black following into the neck and it appears as though part of the breast is also black (kind of like how a bib for a baby would sit). The rest of the underparts are white. It looks like there is some black tail feathers though I can't be sure which ones are black but the tail seems to be long and narrow. The colours are very crisp. I had ignored this id for awhile as I assumed magpie b/c of the black and white combo but it isn't in the right places (the colour). I don't know if it matters much but I didn't see the bird in town per say, it was on the small hike from town to the telegraph station. Thanks!
Maybe a magpie-lark?
Sounds like a pied butcher bird to me... is that a possibility? Did you hear it call, that is a sure way to tell one.
Cheers
BIrdie
Sunshine Coast Queensland
I don't think it's a magpie-lark (no white on its throat) and I honestly don't remember any distinctive calls but I am posting the original picture of the bird in question (remember poor quality) for a comparison against another I saw in the Alice Springs Desert Park (second link). I am sure they are the same species! Thanks again for the help. I try to look on the "bird finder" first but can't always find the right fit.
http://nicolespicsofthisandthat.shutterfly.com/676#675
http://nicolespicsofthisandthat.shutterfly.com/634
An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.
-Martin Buber
http://nicolespicsofthisandthat.shutterfly.com/
Definitely a pied butcherbird. They have a wonderful song, just like a person whistling. I don't see them at my place very often but I constantly hear them.
Just looked in our bird book and we agree with Birdie,that it is a Pied Butcherbird. You will find some good pics on google images.
Definitely, here's a head shot
I have plenty of others, have to look them up though. This guy is my morning alarm clock ..... superb flute like notes in their song.
Cheers
Birdie
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Birdie, those are some great photos! I think when I did my original search on the bird finder a grey butcherbird came up. Leads to a lot of frustration when I can't find what I'm looking for! I have the rest of my park pictures to go through and I was given a guide that I saved so we'll see how that goes (as far as Id). Thanks again for your help everyone.
Cheers!
Nicole
An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.
-Martin Buber
http://nicolespicsofthisandthat.shutterfly.com/
That last shot was taken outside my place and if you can believe it , it was just taken on a little compact digital camera of my father's. You can get really close once they get to know you.
I will post some in the grey butcher bird thread that I posted about a year ago originally. I am too lazy to go back through the old postings to find it and I may have let it drop off flickr anyway. If you are really interested in birds
just read through a good bird guide when you see one and jump on here like you did and ask questions. It is amazing how much you learn here from everyone.
Cheers
Birdie
Sunshine Coast Queensland