What bird is this

Submitted: Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:15
ThreadID: 119477 Views:3045 Replies:5 FollowUps:7
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He (or she) has been hanging around for a couple of years.

Any ideas???

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Reply By: vk1dx - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:17

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:17
Sorry Size: about 7 inches tip of beak to tail.

Phil
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Follow Up By: Member - Baz110 - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:20

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:20
Phil,
Looks like a butcher bird to me.
we have a couple of families of them living in our yard. They have a wonderful song and have a tendency to take their food/pickings and hang it in the fork of a tree - hence the name.
Cheers
Bazza
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Follow Up By: Member - Niss42 - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:24

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:24
Phil, I think Bazza is correct, see link.

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Cracticus-torquatus

Cheers, another Bazza.
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:26

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 15:26
Got him in one Bazza. The third photo down at that link is the same bird. I tried the "friend" but just not the right search string.

Thanks mate

Phil
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Follow Up By: Rangiephil - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 17:00

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 17:00
I think it is also a female.
The male has a slightly more black in front of the eye.
You also know if it is a male as the bastard is attacking you at every opportunity during mating season.

I remember once I was replacing my water tank on the camper and the mongrel kept on diving on my feet, not to mention attacking my head from the rear even with eyes painted on a hat.

A friend's granddaughter has lost an eye from one.
Having said that I love em.
Regards Philip A

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Follow Up By: Member - Rosco from way back - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 17:05

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 17:05
Definitely a Butchie. You can tell by the hook on the beak in the 2nd photo (apart from the obvious) Not sure about the sex. From what I've read, they're difficult to tell apart. We've been feeding a few generations of the same family with mince for a while now. Cheeky buggers when they get to know you.
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 18:07

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 18:07
Definitely a butcher bird (the hook on the beak) - my guess is the Grey Butcherbird, more likely female - probably an immature. The late, famous, much awarded, widely published 'birdo' Graham Pizzey AM reserved the expression 'superb' for the butcherbirds, in his description of Australia's bird songs.
AnswerID: 556985

Reply By: AlbyNSW - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 18:46

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 18:46
It is a juvenile grey butcherbird
Too young to establish sex from photo
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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 19:01

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 19:01
Looks like there may be a family around because we had one here last year.
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Reply By: vk1dx - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 19:05

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 19:05
Thanks one and all.

He is quite friendly but stays away if you head towards him. The magpies have him under a 24/7 watch.

We shall see what sex come mating time maybe. I will leave the thongs inside in case he thinks the toes are worms.

Bloody cold here. I hope the Simpson is warmer.

Phil
AnswerID: 556987

Reply By: Member - graeme W (WA) - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 20:45

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 20:45
Hi Vk. Grey butcher bird, the only place ive seen both the pied and the grey together is the lighthouse caravan park at exmouth. Quite often they mimic other bird calls and one of them up there gives a good imitation of an an osprey.
Cheers
AnswerID: 556990

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 20:52

Monday, Jul 13, 2015 at 20:52
This is the first one that I have seen here. And we have not moved in 24 years.

Thanks Graeme
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