Hello David,
I am not sure I follow. At this time of year it is likely to be a family. As far as differences and similarities go, both of these species have
black and white streaked wings, indeed that is one of the things they have in common.
Most of the primaries & secondaries of both species are black. The Pied has a bit more white on the wing but that is not a prominent difference. The Pied has a black back and back throat and is significantly bigger. In places where both are common, I don’t
know that they associate……
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Dr David Rosalky via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 10 March, 2025 9:20 AM
To: COG bird list
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Butcher birds
I have been pleasantly serenaded by a GBB most mornings for some weeks. I love the call and I answer back. I think we have a thing going.
This morning was different. There he/she was, but there were others calling from different directions. At least three and possibly four.
I tried to get a visual on at least one. There it was in a eucalypt across the road from my house. Oh, and another beside it. Hang on! Another, but it had
black and white streaked wings. Before I could get a full visual for ID, the local gang of Noisy Miners chased them off.
But I would like to place a small bet that it was a Pied BB (I am recording it as such) and that may have been the reason for the party – a guest visiting from
out of town. Other than not getting a full-bird visual, my hesitancy stems from the lack of a PBB call within the choral presentation around me, which went on for minutes, even after they were chased off.
David Rosalky
