Butcherbirds are mid-sized, most growing up to 35 cm in length. Their colour ranges from black-and-white to mostly black with added grey plumage, depending on the species.
They have a large, straight bill with a distinctive hook at the end which is used to skewer prey. They have high-pitched complex songs.
Butcherbirds are insect eaters for the most part, but will also feed on small lizards and other vertebrates.
They get their name from their habit of impaling captured prey on a thorn, tree fork, or crevice. This "larder" is used to support the victim while it is being eaten, to store prey for later consumption, or to attract mates.