The silver-backed butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) is a small, shrike-like bird. It is almost identical to the grey butcherbird (C. torquatus) of which it considered by some authorities to be a subspecies, C. torquatus argenteus.
The species was first described by ornithologist John Gould in 1836 as Cracticus argenteus.[1]
The silver-backed butcherbird looks similar to the Grey butcherbird, except its back is lighter and silvery.[2] This species is snappy and fearless, diving at humans and dogs near the nest. It may attack other birds like the spangled drongo or common koel.
It is a part-time predator but insects are also taken. It feeds on small lizards such as skinks and mice along with small birds that it snares and plucks out of the sky.