Grey Butcherbird
A species of Typical Butcherbirds Scientific name : Cracticus torquatus Genus : Typical Butcherbirds
Grey Butcherbird, A species of Typical Butcherbirds
Botanical name: Cracticus torquatus
Genus: Typical Butcherbirds
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Description
The grey butcherbird is a small grey, black and white bird with a weight of 90 grams (3.2 oz), a body length between 27–30 cm (10.6-11.8 in) and a wing span expanding 37–43 cm (14.6-16.9 in). The grey butcherbird is smaller than the Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis). The adult grey butcherbird has a black head, top and sides; and a white chin and throat through to the lower hindneck. The upperbody is mostly dark grey with streaks of narrow white bands that extends across the uppertail-coverts at the base of the tail. The uppertail is black with narrow white tips. The wings are grey with large areas of white and the underside of the wing is also white. The tip of the beak has a slight downwards hook. Both the male and female grey butcherbirds are similar in appearance, but the female is slightly smaller in size. The juvenile is slightly different from the adult, as the juvenile does not have a black head, instead the head is a dark brown with fine streaks on the forehead and ear-covers and white loral spots that meet the eyes and bill, as well as having an off-white chin and throat. The upperbody is dark brown with streaks, and the uppertail-coverts are also a dark brown and have a brownish colour at the base of the uppertail. Juvenile's beaks are completely dark grey and often the hook at the tip of the beak is not obvious. The juvenile grey butcherbird is commonly mistaken for a small kingfisher. 
Size
27 - 30 cm
Life Expectancy
20.2 years
Feeding Habits
Grey Butcherbird primarily consume insects, small birds and their nestlings, lizards, and occasionally fruit and seeds. They exhibit unique behavior by impaling excess or large prey on branches for later consumption.
Habitat
Grey Butcherbird is typically found in a variety of open habitats, including eucalypt open forests, mallee and acacia woodlands, and shrublands with a preference for areas that have an open understory of grass or scattered shrubs. The species adapts well to alteration of its natural environment, often residing in rural towns and even urban areas, especially those with parks and gardens rich in mature trees. Across broader geographical regions, grey Butcherbird inhabits rainforests, riparian zones, and arid inland areas featuring denser forests.
Dite type
Omnivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Behavior
Grey butcherbirds sit in branches and wait for prey. Prey is captured by the grey butcherbird sally-pouncing the prey on the ground. Small birds and insects can be captured in flight by using sally-striking. The grey butcherbird ambushes the foraging birds while they are on the ground, usually approaching and attacking them from behind. The grey butcherbird either feeds alone, in pairs or in small family groups.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Butcherbirds Genus
Typical Butcherbirds Species
Grey Butcherbird 
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