Pied Currawong
Pied Currawong
(Strepera graculina)
Description: Currawongs are three species of medium sized passerine birds belonging to the genus Strepera in the family Artamidae native to Australia
The Pied Currawong is a large, mostly black bird, with a bright yellow eye. Small patches of white are confined to the under tail, the tips and bases of the tail feathers and a small patch towards the tip of each wing (visible in flight). The bill is large and robust with a black underbody. The legs are dark grey-black. Both sexes are similar, although the female may sometimes be greyer on the underparts.
Pied Currawongs have some positive qualities, as they will eat carrion, pest/rodents, and insects. They are much friendlier than magpies and WILL NOT swoop you during breeding season.
Size: 41-51cm
Voice: Noisy, distinctive, double-call “curra-wong”. The main call is a loud “currawong”, which gives the bird its name. Other frequent sounds include deep croaks and a wolf whistle.
Location: Eastern Australia, from around Cooktown south to the Grampians, Vic.
Feeding: Feed on a variety of foods including small lizards, insects, caterpillars, berries
Habitat: Open forest, woodland, scrubland, farms, urban, well adapted to suburban areas.
Eggs: 2 to 5 usually three, in most instances pale brown streaked with darker shades.
Breeding Season: September to January
Acknowledgements: www.Birdlife.org.au Field Guide to the Birds of Australia: Simpson and Day, A Naturalists Guide to the Birds of Australia: Dean Ingwersen National Geographic, What Bird is that?: Neville W Cayleys, www.birdsinbackyards.net