Black and white kingfisher?

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templar1307
Black and white kingfisher?

Greetings. I'm quite a novice at birdwatching and need some help IDing a bird I've seen twice in my backyard (sorry but I haven't managed to photograph it yet).

I strongly believe the bird to be a kingfisher but its colouring is purely black and white, with definitely a complete absence of colour. It is about 15 - 20cm long. I live in the northern suburbs of Perth about 500m from a lake which is part of the Yellalonga Regional Park (if this helps).

Holly
Holly's picture

First bird that springs to mind is probably a Pied Butcherbird - not a kingfisher but certainly has a similar build and beak shape

Araminta
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Pied Butcherbird springs to my mind to, Holly.

Had one in my garden two days ago, did it look like this one?

M-L

templar1307

The colouring is similar, although the bird I've seen is more black and white rather than black, white and grey. And the beak of my mystery bird is alot bigger/longer, comparable to that of a sacred kingfisher. I've looked through some field guides to Australian birds and keep expecting to see a picture of it alongside the sacred kingfisher, kookaburras etc. I will be constantly carrying my camera with me now whenever I go outside as this is playing on my mind:)

timmo
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M-L, I think your guy (or gal) in the photo is a Grey Butcherbird, rather than a Pied Butcherbird - they're just a bit lighter on the back (and often a little bit longer and skinnier in my experience).

But yes, templar, I would agree with the above suggestion of a Pied Butcherbird.

Other purely black and white birds common to backyards in the west include the Magpie-Lark and Magpie, but the Butcherbirds are the most "Kingfisher-like" of these.

Cheers
Tim
Brisbane

Araminta
Araminta's picture

OMG Tim, I've got no idea why I thought it could be anything else but a grey butcherbird? I even had two juveniles, it was just a very bad slippppp in concentration.

Butcher Birds 021 (1)

M-L

templar1307

Thanks all. Araminta that last photo you posted of the two grey butcherbirds has made me believe that that's what it is. The different angle and side view of the beak has convinced me. Much appreciated.

Windhover
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M.L.Rose
M.L.Rose's picture

Adding to the bird identification.    Seen in my backyard today.

I live near Mackay in  North Queensland and found this site when searching for  "black and white kingfisher".   I have many butcher birds around and the bird in my back yard is smaller and much slimmer than a butcher bird.  Also the beak is longer and slimmer.  In fact it is near enough to the dimensions of a kingfisher to pass for a "black and white kingfisher".   I know that at this time of year there are many juvenile birds about, but I do not believe it is butcher bird.  The beak appears to be too long!    There was a strong wind and the feathers stood out in the top photo.   In the smaller, less clear photo, the same bird appears slimmer.  

Interesting that somebody in WA should have the same thoughts about an apparently similar looking bird.

Maurie

Maurie

M.L.Rose
M.L.Rose's picture

See how this goes.

Maurie

Araminta
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Hi there Maurie, I think this is a Frorest Kingfisher and it looks very dark blue to me.

Unfortunately templar1307 didn't have a photo. I can't help you any further, sorry. 

M-L

SteveM
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I'll 2nd Forest Kingfisher for birds in post#10.

I note Maurie said "...found this site when searching for  "black and white kingfisher".  "

I always wondered how really old threads suddenly come back to life. Now I know.

M.L.Rose
M.L.Rose's picture

Thanks to all of you.  We have seen this bird again, and it was more clear that it is a Forest Kingfisher.

Regards

Maurie

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