Grey Butcherbirds are fairly common attackers particularly in SE Queensland. My studies indicate that the behaviour seems to be triggered by several things such as a chick being handled after falling out of the nest, interfering with the nest, using noisy machinery such as mowers and brush cutters, and shrill voiced small children. For quite a few years I was involved in relocating attacking butcherbirds from sites such as schools, childcare centres, hospitals and homes for the aged. I was initially hired by Q’ld Parks and Wildlife Service but later on the school, or whoever wanted the bird removed, had to foot the bill as QPWS funds were squeezed. The butcherbirds can be very nasty and almost always draw blood around the face area. It is also a learned behaviour and you will often get adults and several juveniles all attacking at once. Pied Butcherbirds will also attack but not in anywhere the same numbers as Greys.
I have seen quite a few instances where people have been injured taking evasive action while being attacked. The attacks can last up to six weeks. People often cannot go into a garden or similar outdoor area without being attacked. For various reasons I have not removed any birds for a couple of years now. I was originally hired by QPWS when they could not catch birds using their own staff.
Cheers
Roy Sonnenburg (Ornithological consultant) ===============================
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