There has always been confusion over this name because Piping Shrike was used as the name of the White-backed Magpie when the South Aust constitution was written. Identification of the birdEdit Because the name piping shrike is not used to identify any bird, there has been some confusion over what bird it represents. While some think it resembles the Murray magpie (Grallina cyanoleuca), the original reports specify that it is based on the Australian magpie , [1] and government sources specify the subspecies as the white-backed magpie (Cracticus tibicen telonocua formerly Gymnorhina tibicen leuconota). [4] The connection of this bird to the name piping shrike can be seen in this early observation by explorer Charles Sturt in the 1840s: “GYMNORHINA LEUCONOTA GOULD., The White-backed Crow Shrike. This bird is somewhat larger than, and very much resembles a magpie, but the proportion of white is greater, and there is no metallic or varied tint on the black feathers as on the European bird. In South Australia it is a winter bird, and his clear fine note was always the most heard on the coldest morning, as if that temperature best suited him. All the species of this genus are easily domesticated, and learn to pipe tunes. They are mischievous birds about a house, but are useful in a garden. I had one that ranged the fields to a great distance round the house, but always returned to sleep in it.”
Birding-Aus mailing list
Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org
To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Birding-Aus mailing list
Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org
To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
