butcherbird

American  

[booch-er-burd] / ˈbʊtʃ ərˌbɜrd /

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.

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butcherbird British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of butcherbird

First recorded in 1660–70; butcher + bird

Example Sentences

Hollis Taylor has dedicated her life’s work as a violinist and ornithologist to the pied butcherbird, a species she deems a fellow musician.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2023

The butcherbird calls alert females to the derring-do of the males, whose behavior under threat is an honest signal of how bold and fit they are, the researchers theorize.

From US News • Feb. 14, 2011

Rather than lying low when a predatory butcherbird announces its presence, a male wren will step up and sing along in a sort of daredevil duet.

From US News • Feb. 14, 2011

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

From Nature Near London by Jefferies, Richard

Many of our more vigorous species, as the butcherbird, the crossbills, the pine grosbeak, the redpoll, the Bohemian chatterer, the shore lark, the longspur, the snow bunting, etc., are common to both continents.

From Locusts and Wild Honey by Burroughs, John