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Magpie-lark

(Grallina cyanoleuca)
Alternative names: "Peewee", "Mudlark", "Murray Magpie", "Little Magpie", "Peewit", "Pugwall"
Aboriginal names: "iyebana", "koolootaroo", "barriindjiin" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay]
Size: 26-30 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are two races of Magpie-larks in Australia, which are found over large parts of the continent, including the interior. Nominate race "cyanoleuca" is found almost everywhere to the south of a line connecting Port Douglas, QLD, with Mt. Isa, QLD, and on to Eighty Mile Beach, WA, with the following exceptions: They are not found in the Simpson Desert north of Lake Eyre, not in the Nullarbor, the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert and the Great Sandy Desert. Outside the breeding season they do cross the Bass Strait to the small islands there and the north coast of Tasmania. Race "neglecta" is found anywhere to the north of the line mentioned above, except the area around Tennant Creek, NT.

Magpie-larks are often found in open grassland with scattered trees. They adapt to the presence of humans very well and can often be found in urban parks and gardens and around farms.

Sightings

Magpie-larks (more commonly known as "Peewees") can be seen almost everywhere in Australia, including the area of Narrabri, New South Wales. They populate rural areas and urban landscapes and are often found foraging by roadsides.

Also sighted on a trip to the east of the dividing range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo, New South Wales.

Seen by us also on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008. Unlike Australian Magpies, Magpie-larks were found in remote locations only near the scattered human settlements, not out in remote bushland in the Flinders or Gammon Ranges or the nearby plains and saltpans.

Photos

Male Magpie-lark going for a drink in hot weather

Lateral view of a male bird

Male Magpie-lark trying to impress the thought on a Channel-billed Cuckoo near its nest that it would be advantageous for it to move on

Female Magpie-lark on our lawn

Here another female Magpie-lark at our place, seen from behind

Lateral view of an immature Magpie-lark

Frontal view of a fledgling Magpie-lark

Rear view of a fledgling Magpie-lark

This young bird was on its first day out of the nest, squawking together with its siblings to be fed...

... and here is dad with food

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Jan Eggs: 3 - 5 Incubation period: 18 days Fledging age: 21 days

Given the right conditions, Magpie-larks can breed any time of the year.

Nest

Type: Bowl Material: Mud Height above ground: 2 - 10 m

Close-up view of a Magpie-lark's nest

This nest is still under construction...

... here seen from the other side, now complete

Here a female Magpie-lark sitting on its nest

View from above into a nest, showing its lining

Magpie-lark nest with four chicks in it

Eggs

Size: 29 x 20 mm Colour: Pinkish-whiteish, with dark red-brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Fragments of a Magpie-lark egg that fell to the ground with the nest it was in during a violent storm

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

At our former place 20 km south of Narrabri Magpie-larks were winter guests. During the summer of 2005 they preferred to stay in the adjacent bush. In 2006 they occasionally came for a bath and a drink on very hot days. 20 km east of Narrabri they nest in the trees near the house.

Seen by us to defend their territory vigorously against the intrusion of Channel-billed Cuckoos, who will host on them if given a chance.

Food

Magpie-larks are insect hunters. Contrary to the technique of many other birds (flycatchers), they catch their prey by snapping at insects they disturb when strutting around on the ground.