A Perfect Start to the day

Probably Australia's best vocalist.

The amazing song of the Pied Butcherbird. The bird starts singing before dawn and carries on until first light when it is joined by a Noisy Friarbird and the two duet together.

In the time that I have been bird-watching and sound recording in Australia I have rarely heard the true song of the Pied Butcherbird. Occasionally you will hear a Pied Butcherbird utter a few short phrases of song but rarely do you come across a bird giving a performance such as this. This bird sang in 2014 and then again in 2016.

The duet with the Noisy Friarbird is a first for me. Listen to how the Butcherbird varies the delivery of its song, to stop the Friarbird from interrupting, it is truly remarkable.