Butcher Birds

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For a change
I went to walk
in the community
where my son and partner live,
hoping to see more kangaroos...

this home, next to my son's
is a good example
of contemporary Australian architecture

but it is not for that reason
that I am showing you...


look up at the top right hand corner
of the roof
Do you see a little speck?

let me draw
you in
a little closer

and closer still
can you see him now?

He is a Butcher Bird
a magpie like bird
native to Australasia


As soon as my son drives up to his house
Butcher Bird flies down to greet him
ever hopeful of a snack

which is often presented...
The bird on the right is very tame
the one on the left skittish...
she grabs a morsel
then quickly hops away...

The butcher bird
gets his name from the way
he impales captured prey
on a thorn or tree fork or crevice

His straight bill
with hook at the end skewers the prey

He eats insects mainly
but likes lizards and meat

the food that he leaves in his tree larder
he may eat or save for later
and also it may attract a mate

Butcher birds are woodland birds
that have adapted well to urbanisation
They are very opportunistic and intelligent
showing little fear
readily taking food offerings
and for that reason
easily become semi tame

Butcher Birds have
beautiful high pitched songs
of great subtlety,
and also good mimicry.

You can hear one here...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unEwbEyFiFw

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