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Pied Currawong |
Sightings
Pied Currawongs are one of the most common birds in our area, near Narrabri, New South Wales. 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, New South Wales.
Not spotted at all during a trip from Narrabri via Brewarrina along the Darling River towards Menindee in March 2008.
Photos
Lateral view of a Pied Currawong 20 km east of Narrabri, New South Wales; note the strong, slightly hooked bill and the upright stance while looking for prey in the lawn
View of the back of a nosy Pied Currawong in the Mt. Kaputar National Park, 30 km east of Narrabri, New South Wales (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Pied Currawong in the Warrumbungle National Park, 30 km west of Coonabarabran, New South Wales (I; click on image for larger version)
Pied Currawong in the Warrumbungle National Park, 30 km west of Coonabarabran, New South Wales (II; click on image for larger version)
This photo shows most clearly the hooked bill of a Pied Currawong, similar to the one of the Pied Butcherbird or the Grey Butcherbird (click on image for larger version)
Here another Pied Currawong drinking from a water bowl (click on image for larger version)
Pied Currawong in gliding flight
Nest
Pied Currawong chick peeking out of its nest in the Warrumbungle National Park, 30 km west of Coonabarabran, New South Wales
Habits
Similar to Australian Magpies, Pied Currawongs are winter guests at our place, because chased away by Willie Wagtails during the summer breeding season.
One peculiarity that we noticed is that the call of Pied Currawongs has regional variations. Differences are noticeable over distances as short as tens of km.
They sometimes "raid" an area in large numbers, terrorising everything on their menu list, before leaving again.
After staying at our place 20 km east of Narrabri through the winter of 2007, the about 20 resident birds dispersed in late winter, just before the breeding season (around late July).