I was asked what kind of bird this was in the Botanic Gardens in Sale. I asked and they said it was a butcher bird.

Australia Butcher bird 

Good morning, clear, blue sky and at 8:00 AM the air is crisp and cool, but I know that is going to change as the sun gets higher in the sky.  Another warm day 86F(31C)   12 degrees above normal. We are to have rain, and then cool down.  That will be great.   Stay cool, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for their Sept 17 will have a high of 68F(20C) with winds up to 13 mph.  One wrote yesterday that they were having nice rain, which is needed as they were dry going into their spring. You remember that one year ago, we were there visiting.  Larry and I can understand what their weather is like in springtime.  You know, what I enjoyed was all the blooming plants coming out during spring.  ENJOY, and stay safe.
 
I had someone ask what kind of bird this was from yesterday’s post.  So I asked Friends of the Botanic Garden of Sale and they wrote back it was a butcher bird. I found out what they are. Notice the size of how large they are.  Interesting that a large songbird and native to Australia.  Have a read about them.
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Butcherbird
Butcherbirds are a group of songbirds known for their distinct hunting strategy. With their powerful hooked bills, they wedge their prey into thorns, forks, or crevices, and hence get their name. Their primary prey includes insects, arthropods, and small vertebrates.
Depending on the species, their plumage ranges from black-and-white to mostly black or grey. They are native to Australasia and inhabit a wide variety of environments, ranging from tropical rainforests to arid shrublands.
Butcherbird (Types and Species)
Types
The 6 species of the genus Cracticus and the only species of the genus Melloria are collectively referred to as butcherbirds.
Black Butcherbird (Melloria quoyi)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
Silver-Backed Butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus)
Hooded Butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus)
Tagula Butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis)
Black-Backed Butcherbird (Cracticus mentalis)
Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis)
Description
Size: Body Length: Between 12 and 16 in (30 and 40 cm)
Weight: Between 0.18 and 0.33 lb (80 and 150 g)
Butcherbird
Body and Coloration: They have robust bodies with relatively short legs compared to their body length. Their bill is straight and large, ending in a distinctive hook that acts as a skewer.
Depending on the species, these birds have black, white, and grey plumage patterns. For instance, the pied butcherbird has a black hood and throat, white underparts, and black-and-white wings and tail. On the other hand, the black butcherbird is almost entirely black except for a pale gray bill. The chicks of these birds are more brown in appearance than the adults.
These birds are closely related to the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) and share similar black-and-white plumage patterns. However, the magpie is generally larger and lacks the distinctive hooked bill found in butcherbirds.
Distribution
These birds are found on the mainland of Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and the eastern parts of Indonesia.
Habitat
Butcherbirds primarily occupy open forests and woodlands. They are particularly common in dry sclerophyll woodlands and forests dominated by eucalyptus trees. However, depending on the species, their habitats may vary. For example, the black butcherbird inhabits mangrove forests and riparian areas, whereas the pied and silver-backed butcherbirds are found in savannahs and grasslands. The grey butcherbird is often spotted in urban and suburban areas, such as parks, backyards, and golf courses.
They are primarily carnivorous birds, typically feeding on insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, and cockroaches, as well as other invertebrates, such as spiders and worms. Small vertebrates, including frogs, lizards, and rodents, also constitute a crucial part of their diet. Some species, like the pied butcherbird, also feed on the nestlings and fledglings of other birds.
Occasionally, some species may also supplement their diet with fruits, berries, seeds, and nectar, particularly when their primary resources are scarce.
Behavior
These birds impale their prey on thorns, forks, or crevices to tear it apart, often storing it for later use.
Both male and female butcherbirds are capable of singing. Pied butcherbirds, in particular, are known for their striking dawn choruses, which comprise flute-like melodies, antiphonal duets, and even mimicry of other birds.
Breeding pairs fiercely defend their territories by watching out for intruders and swooping at predators that threaten them. They also exhibit cooperative mobbing behavior to fend off their enemies.
Lifespan
Depending on the species, butcherbirds typically have an average lifespan of around 10 to 15 years in the wild. However, the grey butcherbird has a maximum-recorded lifespan of 20.2 years in the wild, while the pied butcherbird has been recorded at a maximum of around 22.2 years.
Reproduction
All species, except hooded and black butcherbirds, undergo cooperative breeding, in which older offspring assist their parents in raising new chicks. In most species, the females build cup-shaped nests using twigs, bark, and grass. They then place the nest in the forks of tree branches.
Female butcherbirds typically lay 2 to 5 eggs in a clutch, though the number has been reported to be higher (up to 6 eggs) in more open-country species, such as the pied butcherbird. The eggs are incubated for 18 to 21 days, depending on the species, after which the young hatch. These young tend to squeak and trail behind their mother as she tries to capture food for them. The chicks remain with their mother until they are almost fully grown and ready to venture independently.
Predators
The primary predators of these birds are raptors, including goshawks, falcons, and hawks, as well as tree-climbing snakes, feral cats, possums, and sometimes foxes. These predators typically target eggs, chicks, and occasionally adults.
Taken from https://www.animalspot.net/butcherbird
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse