Grey Butcherbird Cracticus
torquatus
This is a common species in major east coast cities, yet it is
rare in Canberra. This would suggest that it is not the urban environment itself
that causes the scarcity. In our area it occurs in woodland and along the
Murrumbidgee river corridor. Maybe it is the competition from the abundant Pied
Currawong that impacts adversely on this bird (see also the Laughing Kookaburra
text). Records are mostly of isolated individuals and not many have repeat
observations. So the bird passes through, rather than stays in the urban area.
This
is partly influenced by that the species is very common in Melbourne &
Brisbane, where I had my first 25
years. Indeed in Melbourne they often came
to visit my aviary to terrorise my finches and I am fairly sure directly or
indirectly killed several.
The GBS Report also makes it clear that the
local bird population is subject to continual change. The above text is becoming
old, highlighting that the work should now be updated. The increase in this
species (since The GBS Report) is clearly
another change that is happening and it is curious as to why.
Philip
