Hooded butcherbird
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Cracticus cassicus

The hooded butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus ) is a species of passerine bird in the family Artamidae. It is found in New Guinea.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

Appearance

Measuring 32–35 cm in length, the male and female are similar in appearance. The plumage is predominantly black and white, the bird bearing a black head, nape and throat, white underparts, rump, and back, and black and white mantle. The tail is black, with a broad white tip. The robust pale bluish-grey bill is hooked and tipped black. The iris is black or dark brown, and the legs and feet are dark grey to black. It can be distinguished from the black-backed butcherbird by its black throat.

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The hooded butcherbird has a complex fluting song, made up of many varied components. Birds may duet with each other, or mimic other species such as the rusty pitohui, little shrikethrush, spangled drongo, or helmeted friarbird.

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Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms

Found on New Guinea and surrounding islands, the hooded butcherbird inhabits forested country mainly in lowland areas to elevations of 650 m, or occasionally 1450 m. It is fairly common and may also be found close to human habitation in coconut groves.

Habits and Lifestyle

The hooded butcherbird is carnivorous. Birds are found in pairs or small family groups.

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Records indicate breeding may occur at any time. Located on a branch 8.5–25 m above ground, the nest is a bowl constructed of twigs and sticks. Two or three pale olive-brown or -green eggs are laid, blotched darker brown and measuring 31.8-35.6 x 23.7-25.6 mm.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

References

1. Hooded butcherbird Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooded_butcherbird
2. Hooded butcherbird on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22706276/130417275
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/634693

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