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White-winged Chough

(Corcorax melanorhamphos)
Alternative names: "Jackdaw", "Black Magpie", "Black Jay", "Apostlebird", "Muttonbird"
Aboriginal name: "wuyuu" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay]
Size: 43-47 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

White-winged Choughs populate the east and south-east of the Australian continent. Nominate race is found in south-east QLD (south of about the Whitsundays and as far west as the Paroo River) through NSW into VIC and the south-eastern tip of SA. They are not found anywhere along a narrow coastal strip north of the Hunter Valley, NSW, and in two areas just to the west and east of Melbourne, VIC. Starting around Adelaide, SA, and the hill range north of Adelaide, plus on Eyre peninsula, race "whiteae" is found.

White-winged Choughs can be found in dry open woodland, also often along roadsides, foraging under or near trees.

Sightings

White-winged Choughs are a common sight in the Narrabri, NSW, 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. Regular visitors to our place again during the winter months of subsequent years.

Seen foraging in our garden 20 km east of Narrabri 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

Lateral view of a White-winged Chough

This bird is seen more from behind

Dorsal view of a White-winged Chough

White-winged Chough struggling to gain balance on a thin branch, thereby partially exposing its white wing feathers

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

Family clan drinking from a water bowl

Here a clear view of the striking red eyes

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

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

Also in flight the white patch is visible from below and above (click on image for a view from above)

Lateral view of an immature bird

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan Eggs: 3 - 5 Incubation period: 19 days Fledging age: 28 days

There can be communal breeding, with more than one female laying eggs into the same nest. All family members help care for the chicks.

Nest

Type: Bowl Material: Mud Height above ground: 5 - 15 m

Depending on the available material, the colour of a mud nest can vary - here a reddish one...

... while this one is grey

Here an elegant bowl that is recycled and upgraded from previous years

White-winged Chough returning to its nest

A brief look inside...

...then go and sit

Eggs

Size: 40 x 31 mm Colour: Creamy, sparsely speckled with brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Family clan

So far we have not seen White-winged Choughs out in open terrain for extended periods of time. 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 sentries gave a warning, but the group only reacted when the leader of the pack on the ground acknowledged this.

In March 2011 we have observed 4 (probably related) family clans foraging close to each other in our garden, with a total of about 30 members.

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

Often seen by us together with Apostlebirds.

White-winged Choughs were observed by us hustling a Lace Monitor, a 1.2 m long goanna. However, 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.

Food

White-winged Choughs forage on the ground for insects, larvae, worms and other small animals.

White-winged Chough taking a beetle