Hi Everyone,
This bird is about the same size as a Pied Butcherbird. I started off thinking it was a nightingale, as it has a very beautiful song. But both these birds are mimickers and when this one arrives, all the birds scatter as it makes the call of the Butcherbird. So I guess I'm wondering which it is?
Take Care,
TrudyC
Hi Trudy, looks a lot smaller than 33-36cm, (Pied Buthcher Bord as described by Morcombe, I can't tell you what it is, but I am sure some one will soon.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Hi there Dale,
It may seem smaller in the photo, but don't let the stump put you off. He would be about that size - only thing is, I don't know whether it's male or female. If you look very closely at the tip of the beak, it appears to have a hook - much like the butcherbird. Do Nightingales attack other birds, or could it be the butcherbird call that scares them so?
Take Care,
TrudyC
Regards
TrudyC
aka RedBrowedFinch
As far as I can tell it's a Grey Shrike Thrush. And yes , they do sing beautifully.
M-L
Here is one in my garden
M-L
Hi there M-L,
Have you noticed he's a mimicker?
Take Care,
TrudyC
Regards
TrudyC
aka RedBrowedFinch
this is a young Butcherbird, as far as I can tell a Grey Butcherbird. I will see if I can find a photo of a Pied B?
M-L
They have a vast repertoir of melodies.I have a few around my house, they wake me up every morning. They also have a very loud penetrating call
M-L
Trudy, there's a host of Australian birds which are wonderful songsters. None of them is a Nightingale. Nor is the bird in your photo which is, as Araminta suggests, a Grey Shrike-thrush. As far as I know it's not a mimicker.
As you noiticed the wonderful song of the Grey shrike-thrush, you might be interested to know that it's beautiful song has been recognised in it's scientific name Colluricincla harmonica.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Hey Tim,
How totally wonderful is that!
Take Care,
TrudyC
Regards
TrudyC
aka RedBrowedFinch
Grey Butcherbirds do mimic to some degree... I observed one doing so from the front porch. I was able to recognise the calls of all the backyard birds in the area; Noisy Miner, Figbird, OB Oriole, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Koel, etc.
Anyway, as far as I know, your bird is a Grey Shrike-thrush.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Hi Brandon,
Yes we get the pied butcher here. I've observed him mimicking noisy minors and magpies! He's a cheeky devil!
Take care,
TrudyC
Regards
TrudyC
aka RedBrowedFinch
In fact I once heard a Grey Butcherbird mimicking the song of a Grey Shrike Thrush so well I was searching for the latter bird for the longest time until I saw the butcherbird in action. (GST is rare locally so I was quite excited at first).