As I start writing I am still shaking from the lightning that struck something nearby as I stepped outside with my dogs. Luckily the rain had started suddenly as I opened the door so I grabbed my coat, otherwise I’d have been in the open when the lightning struck. I’m not sure what it hit, maybe I’ll find out in the morning. I checked every room in the house, including the attic as I felt sure I could smell something scorching.
1/1000, f/8.0, ISO 800, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
I haven’t had the chance to take many thousands of photographs this year due to lockdowns, so was stoked to capture this shot of a Grey Butcherbird that landed on the Golden Robinia in my garden. Getting a black and white bird perfectly exposed and super sharp can be pretty tricky so I’m extra stoked to have feather detail in the whites and blacks. I especially like the wispy white feathers curving just beyond its sturdy little body.
Grey Butcherbirds are closely related to Australian Magpies, Cracticus tibicens – both species have a beautiful, melodic song. It took me a while to work out their call when I first heard it. I called it the ‘Oh what a riddle, riddle, riddle’ call which wasn’t a very useful way to describe it to birding friends!
These butcherbirds are strikingly marked, black, white and grey. They have brown eyes and large, two-toned bills. Capturing this bird as it called clearly shows the hook at the end of its upper bill. They are aggressive feeders, feasting on insects, small mammals, reptiles and birds. They stash food in the forks of trees or impale it on spikes, a strategy which gave them their name.
A couple of years ago I found a juvenile Grey Butcherbird trapped in my woodshed. The only way it could have got inside was through a little tunnel that had been excavated by a rabbit. It had probably followed some kind of critter through the hole and had been unable to get out again without help. A tagged Grey Butcherbird was known to have lived for 19 years so it’s quite possible that this is the bird I rescued. If only they could talk.
Happy birding, stay safe, Kim
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Today,March 27,23 5 Butcher birds visited Wheelers Hill, Victoria. I had never seen a family of these before (across 90 years). Jeff
That’s remarkable Jeff! I hope they treat you to their lovely song.
This is a brilliant photo!!! I think I can hear him singing!
Thank you Tess š
Hi Kim – I love the image and sounds of the butcher birds also -I recently attended for a world premiere here in Brisbane of a musical work called ‘The Ancient Rainforest’ composed by Joe Twist and played with orchestra and digeridoo by a Wakka Wakka man called Chris Williams. Joe Twist commented that he has used the songs/sounds of butcher birds echoing across the river which he hears from his unit and has incorporated them into his new musical presentation. You can probably check it out on YouTube.
Thanks Diane, I will definitely check that out, it sounds beautiful… I’ve just listened to a preview of his Australian Song Cycle too, what a talented man.
Like the magpies I adore their song. I am lucky enough to hear magpies daily. Butcher birds are not nearly as common.
I have been alone in the house twice when the house has been struck by lightening. It frightens me. I am so glad that you and your dogs escaped.
Oh my goodness EC, how scary. The wind is crazy here at the moment, enough to blow open inside doors, which is a bit spooky. A wattle tree has just snapped in half and I’m guessing my driveway will be very unhappy. How do the birds cope with this! They are remarkable. One lone blackbird has been calling a strange call and a magpie was brave enough to be foraging.
I do hope that the damage is not too extreme. I am in awe at the resilience of other species. Us? Not so much.
Stay safe.
Thank you, and yes, I agree. You stay safe too, Kim