This fellow hung around at a relatively short distance from me, allowing a number of photos to be taken. Unfortunately, none of them were winners (failed in either focus, exposure, or framing!!), but one or two I decided were "OK". As I started to walk off, he came to the ground. I almost felt he was stalking me!!!

[K2 to K50]

Another couple of shots (The one with his eye closed is maybe a bit creepy looking, but I liked having caught him with something to say!!!!):

[eaglem]

A very good series of shots with good eye contact.

[pichaser]

Another couple of shots (The one with his eye closed is maybe a bit creepy looking, but I liked having caught him with something to say!!!!):

Maybe you forced a bug out of hiding but he decided you were not a threat . You were rewarded for being patient . Nicely done .

[ToddK]

A very nice set of images. As pichaser said, I think the bird was using you to flush out a few tasty bugs.

[DW58]

What a great looking bird. Kind of like he's wearing a tux. Love that hooked beak too. Nice work.

[lesmore49]

Interesting looking bird. With that hooked beak and given the name 'butcher' bird...he reminds me of a North American Shrike which will predate small birds.

[Heinrich Lohmann]

Nice images of a good looking bird, a bird that I had never seen before. Thanks for posting them.

[K2 to K50]

A very good series of shots with good eye contact.

Thanks eaglem. The bird was very co-operative in the way he hung around.

Maybe you forced a bug out of hiding but he decided you were not a threat . You were rewarded for being patient . Nicely done .

Well certainly he seems to have an insect in his mouth in a couple of the shots I took of him on the ground. And thanks for the "Like".

A very nice set of images. As pichaser said, I think the bird was using you to flush out a few tasty bugs.

Thanks Todd - I think you and pichaser are right: he used me as a food flusher!!

What a great looking bird. Kind of like he's wearing a tux. Love that hooked beak too. Nice work.

Thanks DW58 - yes, he is a very striking bird.

Interesting looking bird. With that hooked beak and given the name 'butcher' bird...he reminds me of a North American Shrike which will predate small birds.

Thanks lesmore49 - this bird's diet does apparently include small skinks, some smaller birds, as well as the usual insect variety. And thank you for the "Like".

Nice images of a good looking bird, a bird that I had never seen before. Thanks for posting them.

Thanks Heinrich - I also find this bird attractive, and have photographed it at various locations over the last 18 months. The species is not too timid, and is likely to hang around watching you so long as you respect his space.

Thanks also to Kdgparnell for your "Like".

[gordon_l34]

Hi,
I would like to get a close up of mine. I would not need a long lens as I have two that eat out of my hand and a third one that I have to toss the meat into the air and it catches it on the wing. They are fast at doing that and watch me to be ready when I throw their food. I go through a kilogram of cheap mince per week between them, four kookaburras and half a dozen magpies.
The kookaburras and the magpies have a dis agreement and the kookaburras always win!
Thanks for the photographs.

Regards,
Gordon.

---------- Post added 07-07-20 at 05:43 PM ----------

Hi,
I would like to get a close up of mine. I would not need a long lens as I have two that eat out of my hand and a third one that I have to toss the meat into the air and it catches it on the wing. They are fast at doing that and watch me to be ready when I throw their food. I go through a kilogram of cheap mince per week between them, four kookaburras and half a dozen magpies.
The kookaburras and the magpies have a dis agreement and the kookaburras always win!
Thanks for the photographs.

Regards,
Gordon.

[bobbotron]

I would have guessed this was a magpie. Great shots!

[K2 to K50]

I would have guessed this was a magpie. Great shots!

Thanks for that.

They do look very similar. I think the Magpie is a tad larger than the Pied Butcher Bird, and its front is all black from throat to legs, whereas this bird's front is all white just below its throat.
See:
Hanging out with Big Bro - PentaxForums.com
The bird on the left is a magpie, the one on the right is known variously as a magpie lark, a peewee, a peewit or mudlark!!

Also, the Magpie does not have such a pronounced hook on the end of its beak as does the Butcher Bird.

[Sailor]

Very enjoyable series. Good shootin'!

Jer