Finke Gorge National Park

FaunaBlack Headed Goanna Clam Shrimp Denham Stick-insect Nasutitermes triodiae Orange Spider Wasp Pied Butcherbird Sand Goanna Scarlet Percher Shield Shrimp Spinifex Pigeon Western Bowerbird – Finke Gorge NP Yellow-faced Whip Snake

There have been over 100 species of birds sighted in the Finke Gorge National Park. Among the species sighted include the Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis).

A medium-sized black and white bird, the Pied Butcherbird is widespread throughout large areas of mainland Australia.

Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis), Palm Valley
Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis), Palm Valley

It has a full black hood, dark brown eye and long, hooked, grey and black bill. a broad white collar that goes all around its neck and a black bib around the throat. The rest of the underparts are white, the upper parts are mostly black, with large patches of white on the wings and rump. The legs are black.

Whilst the male is slightly larger than the female, both have identical plumage. The juvenile Pied Butcherbirds are generally a duller colour to the adults, with the black plumage being brown and the white areas are washed buff colour.

The species has a beautiful, flute-like song. Its repertoire include mimicry of a wide range of species.

Check out our Fauna section – BirdsPied Butcherbird.


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Passeriformes
  • Family: Artamidae
  • Genus: Cracticus
  • Species: Cracticus nigrogularis

Finke Gorge National ParkCamping & Picnic Area Boggy Hole Palm Valley Fauna Flora

FaunaBlack Headed Goanna Clam Shrimp Denham Stick-insect Nasutitermes triodiae Orange Spider Wasp Pied Butcherbird Sand Goanna Scarlet Percher Shield Shrimp Spinifex Pigeon Western Bowerbird – Finke Gorge NP Yellow-faced Whip Snake