butcherbird

[ booch-er-burd ]

noun

1. any of various shrikes of the genus Lanius, which impale their prey upon thorns.
2. any of several large, carnivorous birds of the genus Cracticus, of Australia and New Guinea, having shrikelike habits.

butcherbird

/ ˈbʊtʃəˌbɜːd /

noun

1. a shrike, esp one of the genus Lanius
2. any of several Australian magpies of the genus Cracticus that impale their prey on thorns

Word History and Origins

Origin of butcherbird¹

First recorded in 1660–70; butcher + bird

Example Sentences

The determination and fierce resolution of the shrike, or butcherbird, despite his small size, is most marked.

From Project Gutenberg