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

Pied butcherbirds “seem to prefer some song rhythms over others,” such as isochronous rhythm, Mr. Xing said.

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The Lanius, which in Latin can refer to butcherbirds, represents a new generation of drone: nimble, wired with artificial intelligence, and able to scout and kill.

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For now, add another brutal move to the butcherbird’s vicious arsenal.

Read more on Science Magazine

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.

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Then they played the trill of the wrens singing immediately after the butcherbirds.

Read more on Scientific American