Silver-backed butcherbird

The silver-backed butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) is a small, shrike-like bird. It is almost identical to the grey butcherbird (C. torquatus) of which it considered by some authorities to be a subspecies, C. torquatus argenteus.[2]

Silver-backed butcherbird

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Artamidae
Genus: Cracticus
Species:
C. argenteus
Binomial name
Cracticus argenteus
Gould, 1836
Synonyms

Cracticus torquatus argenteus

The species was first described by ornithologist John Gould in 1836 as Cracticus argenteus.[3]

Description

The silver-backed butcherbird looks similar to the Grey butcherbird, except its back is lighter and silvery.[4] This species is snappy and fearless, diving at humans and dogs near the nest. It may attack other birds like the spangled drongo or common koel.

Diet

It is a part-time predator but insects are also taken. It feeds on small lizards such as skinks and mice along with small birds that it snares and plucks out of the sky.

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Cracticus argenteus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103703525A104074732. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103703525A104074732.en.
  2. "Cracticus argenteus". Avibase.
  3. Gould, John (1836). "Characters of new species of Birds from New South Wales". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 126. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  4. Morcombe, Michael (2004). Field guide to Australian birds. Steve Parish Publishing.


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