Butcherbird is the name given in Australia to birds that resemble shrikes. Like shrikes, butcherbirds impale their prey on twigs or thorns and store it in this way to eat later. They eat insects, mice, other birds, and reptiles. 
Butcherbirds are closely related to Australian magpies and currawongs. There are seven species (kinds) of butcherbirds. These include the black butcherbird, the pied butcherbird, and the Tagula butcherbird.
The birds grow to about 1 foot (30 centimeters) in length and have strong, hooked beaks. Most butcherbirds have black-and-white or gray plumage. The black butcherbird has only black feathers. It also has longer legs and a smaller, more rounded head compared with other butcherbirds.
Butcherbirds live in all parts of Australia. They nest in trees. Female butcherbirds lay three or four eggs.
