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Pied Currawong

Strepera graculina

Photo by Leuba Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A large black bird (about 45cms) with a robust pick-like bill (pic #3). Its distinguishing mark is the white tail base and tail tips. While flying, you can see large white patches in the wings. It has a grey-brown breast.
Eyes are yellow.

Habitat:

forests, woodlands, coastal scrubs, farmlands and parks.

Notes:

This one was spotted with mate in our backyard eating peppercorns of the peppercorn tree.
These birds have a distinctive ringing wailing call. Most other birds seem to be terrified of these especially during the breeding season. They are known to rob eggs and nestlings of other birds. They can also use their powerful beaks to prise open barks for invertebrates.
These birds are very active always prowling, searching for food -they don't seem to rest long in one place.
Sorry about the clothes hoist cross bar in Pic #3 -only shot I could get of the powerful beak.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

....and the grey Currawongs along the Murray River have white eyes !!! thanks Alice. They are in the same family as crows -Corvidae
Some of them have very red eyes alice. It's amazing to see both together.
Nice series! Like your information, sound a little like our Crows this time of the year. Rather striking with their yellow eyes.

Spotted for Missions

Photographed
PublishedMarch 18, 2012

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