butcherbird
nounEtymology From butcher + bird, from its habit of hanging its prey.
1
Any of the magpie-like birds in the genus Cracticus, of Australia and New Guinea.
- A butcher bird has stirred, tuned its flute with a few preparatory notes.1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary On The Plains, page 47:
- A short way off, two male butcher birds, black and white like magpies, were calling antiphonally across a ravine.1987, Bruce Chatwin, The Songlines, Vintage, published 1998, page 224:
2
Any of the shrikes in the genus Lanius.
3
South Africa The fiscal shrike, Lanius collaris.
- Derived terms
- black butcherbird