Photo: Broinowski, Gracius J. / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Silver-backed Butcherbird
Cracticus argenteus
Silver-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Silver-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) is a member of the Artamidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 88.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Artamidae Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies
- Genus Cracticus
- Species argenteus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 88.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Artamidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Silver-backed Butcherbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Silver-backed Butcherbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Silver-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) is a member of the Artamidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU nw, nc Australia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 88.8 g, with a wing length of about 14.5 cm and a tail of around 11.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 371,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Silver-backed Butcherbird?
The Silver-backed Butcherbird is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 88.8 g.
Where does the Silver-backed Butcherbird live?
The Silver-backed Butcherbird is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU nw, nc Australia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Silver-backed Butcherbird belong to?
The Silver-backed Butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) belongs to the Artamidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Silver-backed Butcherbird eat?
The Silver-backed Butcherbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Silver-backed Butcherbird migrate?
The Silver-backed Butcherbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Silver-backed Butcherbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Silver-backed Butcherbird make?
1 real field recording of the Silver-backed Butcherbird — including its dawn song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Silver-backed Butcherbird's range?
The Silver-backed Butcherbird has a mapped global range of about 371,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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