Cracticus torquatus argenteus The silver-backed butcherbird (Cracticus argenteus) is a small, shrike-like bird.

[2] The species was first described by ornithologist John Gould in 1836 as Cracticus argenteus.

[4] 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 feeds on small lizards such as skinks and mice along with small birds that it snares and plucks out of the sky.