Historical information

The Black-Cuckoo-shrike is common throughout Australia and can be found in wooden habitats with the exception of rainforests. These birds can be located in urban areas and often perch on television aerials. Their diet consists of insects and other invertebrates which they catch in the air while flying, from foliage or on the ground. They may often eat some fruits and seeds. Interestingly, this bird is neither a Cuckoo or a Shrike despite the name. The name derives from their feathers which have similar patterns to the Cuckoos and the shape of their bill which resembles that of the shrike.

Today, the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike has a protected status in Australia, under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.

Significance

This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research.

This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.

Physical description

This specimen is a young Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike which stands perched on a wooden mount. It has pale grey colouring which is darker on the rear. The wings are tipped with grey-brown feathers and the same colour feathers also appear on the bird's tale. This species is a slender and attractive bird. They have dark limbs and bill and this specimen is provided with two glass eyes which are dark in colouring. The bird has a more creamy pale grey on the throat and stomach. It has a black facial mask which is restricted to an eye stripe. This restriction reveals this particular specimen to be a young Cuckoo-shrike because the elder of these birds have the black colouring on the entirety of their face and neck and not just the eyes.

Inscriptions & markings

21a / Black Faced Graculus / See catalogue page 11