Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Black Butcherbird (Melloria quoyi)
Black Butcherbird

Black Butcherbird

Melloria quoyi

The black butcherbird (Melloria quoyi), a member of the Artamidae family, is a striking avian species. Adults are cloaked in an all-encompassing black plumage, save for their beak which is a black-tipped grey. Juveniles, however, present a rufous-brown coloration, though some may appear black and, on rare occasions, retain this brown hue into adulthood.

Identification Tips

Distinguishable from crows and currawongs by their grey, hooked bills, black butcherbirds are the sole members of the butcherbird genus to don a completely black body. This feature can sometimes lead to misidentification, but a keen eye will note the differences in bill structure.

Habitat

The black butcherbird thrives in a variety of environments, including subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, and mangrove forests, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability to different ecosystems.

Distribution

This species has a broad range, with sightings confirmed in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Behaviour

Intriguingly, in Papua New Guinea, black butcherbirds have been observed engaging in nest parasitism, specifically targeting the nests of Hooded monarch birds. Additionally, variations in plumage colour seem to influence habitat preference, with black individuals favouring deeper forests, while brown variants are more commonly found in coastal scrub or mangroves.

Conservation status

The black butcherbird is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, suggesting that, for now, the species does not face immediate threats to its survival.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Black Butcherbirds on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies

A photo of a Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus)

Black-faced Woodswallow

Artamus cinereus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.