22

Pied Currawong

(Strepera graculina)
Alternative names: "Pied Crow-shrike", "Black Magpie", "Muttonbird" "Mountain Magpie"
Size: 42-50 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are five races of Pied Currawongs along the eastern part of the Australian continent, ranging from Cape York to the southern tip of VIC. Their range extends up to about 500 km inland. Not found in Tasmania or the rest of the continent.

During the breeding season Pied Currawongs can usually be found in open forest and woodland. In autumn/winter they enter more open country and come closer to farms and into urban areas.

Sightings

Pied Currawongs are one of the most common birds in our area, near Narrabri, NSW. They make themselves heard over long distances with their distinct call. Often found along roadsides. During the winter months (approx. March to September) they come close to human settlement, while during the summer months they retreat into the bushland of the nearby Mt. Kaputar National Park and Deriah Forest.

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

Not spotted at all during a trip from Narrabri via Brewarrina along the Darling River towards Menindee in March 2008.

Photos

Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here.

Frontal view of a Pied Currawong on our lawn

This shot emphasizes the prominent eyebrows

Near-frontal view of a Pied Currawong on our lawn

Near-frontal view of a Pied Currawong in a tree

Lateral view of a Pied Currawong on our lawn

Slightly different posture

Lateral view of a Pied Currawong; note the strong, slightly hooked bill and the upright stance while looking for prey in the grass

This one is looking over its shoulder

View of the back of a nosy Pied Currawong

This bird lets its wings droop in anticipation of an attack by an Australian Magpie

This photo shows most clearly the hooked bill, similar to those of Pied Butcherbirds or Grey Butcherbirds

Here a Pied Currawong drinking from a water bowl

Pied Currawong preening itself

Pied Currawong in gliding flight

Here a lateral view of a Pied Currawong in flight

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - Nov Eggs: 2 - 4 Incubation period: 21 days Fledging age: 30? days

Being nestrobbers, Pied Currawongs nest a bit later than other species that they prey upon to ensure the availability of food for their brood.

Nest

Type: Basket Material: Sticks, with grass and/or other lining Height above ground: 5 - 25 m

Pied Currawong feeding one of its three chicks

Eggs

Size: 41 x 30 mm Colour: Light-brown, with brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Seasonally vagrant Elementary unit: Small flock

Similar to Australian Magpies, Pied Currawongs are winter guests at our place, because chased away by Willie Wagtails during the breeding season.

Whole flocks sometimes "raid" an area in large numbers, terrorising everything on their menu list, before moving on.

After staying at our place 20 km east of Narrabri through the winter of 2007, the about 20 resident birds dispersed in late winter (around late July), just before the start of the breeding season. In the winter of 2010 they were again last seen at our place in significant numbers in late July.

Below an example of a Pied Currawong taking a bath, something we see only rarely.

Pied Currawong dipping into the water of our mini-pond

Rather than immersing itself, it splashed water by whipping its head sideways

Next it shook off the water before retiring to a perch for a good preening session

These two are going about it much more seriously

Twitcher's tip

One peculiarity that we noticed is that, although always distinctive, the call of Pied Currawongs has regional variations. Differences are noticeable over distances as short as tens of km.

Food

Like all members of the Strepera family, Pied Currawongs are carnivores. They take animals from the size of large ants up to small birds or small lizards. As the most prolific nest robbers on the Australian continent they are feared by other bird species.