butcherbird

plural butcherbirds

1. Any of the magpie-like birds in the genus Cracticus, of Australia and New Guinea.

   A butcher bird has stirred, tuned its flute with a few preparatory notes.

   1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary On The Plains, page 47

   1 more example

   A short way off, two male butcher birds, black and white like magpies, were calling antiphonally across a ravine.

   1987, Bruce Chatwin, The Songlines, Vintage, published 1998, page 224

2. Any of the shrikes in the genus Lanius.

   Synonyms: shrike, red-backed shrike, Jacky Hanger, Jacky Hangman

   1. South AfricaThe fiscal shrike, Lanius collaris.

      Synonyms: shrike, red-backed shrike, Jacky Hanger, Jacky Hangman