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White-winged ChoughAlternative names: "Jackdaw", "Black Magpie*", "Black Jay", "Apostlebird*", "Muttonbird*" Aboriginal name: "wuyuu" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay] |
Sightings
White-winged Choughs are a common sight in the Narrabri, New South Wales, region. They are often seen foraging through foliage by the roadside in groups of up to 20 and by the time one has stopped safely and brought the camera in position, they are normally all gone.
Seen in Jack's Creek State Forest, 20 km south of Narrabri, in the years 2003-2006.
White-winged Choughs were autumn/winter guests 20 km east of Narrabri in 2007 and 2008. Not seen for a while after the end of winter in 2008; at that time they were found in nearby bushland in Deriah Forest.
Seen foraging in our garden 20 km also during the summer of 2008/09, however at their own peril. They were swooped frequently by Australian Magpies, who in turn were hustled by Willie Wagtails. From our observations it is clear that a whole family of White-winged Choughs offers no resistence to the aggression of a single Australian Magpie.
Photos
White-winged Chough struggling to gain balance on a thin branch, thereby partially exposing its white wing feathers (click on image for larger version)
White-winged Choughs on our lawn 20 km east of Narrabri, New South Wales. Note the bright red eyes - in the shade the pupils are wide-open, while on photos below the irises are much more prominent (click on image for larger version)
Family clan drinking from a water bowl (click on image for larger version)
Here a clear view of the striking red eyes (click on image for larger version)
The photos above demonstrate that when the wings are folded, the birds appear to be entirely black. Only when the wings are spread or fanned the white wing patches become visible.
And here a clear view of a bird fanning its wings and thereby exposing the white wing feathers, which are visible on the upper side of the wings (click on image for larger version)
This view from behind of a bird fanning its wings and tail feathers in a social display demonstrates clearly that the white patches are also visible from the underside of the wings (click on image for larger version)
Also in flight the white patch is visible from below and above (click on image for a view from above)
Habits
So far we have not seen White-winged Choughs out in open terrain yet. They prefer to stay under the foliage of trees or on the fringes of bushland. Wherever possible they stay in the shade of trees or bushes.
When we observed a flock of them away from the busy parts of the Warrumbungle National Park it was clear that they had posted two sentries to protect the group on the ground: One advance guard and a rear guard, who were in constant contact with those on the ground. When necessary, the guards gave a warning, but the group only reacted when the leader of the pack on the ground acknowledged this.
Near camping and picnic facilities, where they are used to the presence of humans, the guards take part in the activities of the flock on the ground.
Similar to many parrots and cockatoos and also Australian Magpies immature White-winged Choughs display playful behaviour, as can be seen in the photo below.
Immature White-winged Chough playing with a dead branch (click on image for full-size display)
Often seen by us together with Apostlebirds.
When swooped by two Australian Magpies, we have seen a clan of seven White-winged Choughs form a defensive ring, everybody facing outwards and ducking for cover. Even family clans of up to 20 birds will duck for cover when a single Australian Magpie hustles them.