Pied Currawong
Strepera graculina
The Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) is a common woodswallows, bellmagpies, and alli found only in Australia, weighing about 299 g. The pied currawong is a black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island.
About the Pied Currawong
The pied currawong is a black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. One of three currawong species in the genus Strepera, it is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian magpie of the family Artamidae. Six subspecies are recognised. It is a robust crowlike bird averaging around 48 cm (19 in) in length, black or sooty grey-black in plumage with white undertail and wing patches, yellow irises, and a heavy bill. The male and female are similar in appearance. Known for its melodious calls, the species' name currawong is believed to be of indigenous origin.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The pied currawong is generally a black bird with white in the wing, undertail coverts, the base of the tail and most visibly, the tip of the tail. It has yellow eyes. Adult birds are 44–50 cm (17–20 in) in length, with an average of around 48 cm (19 in); the wingspan varies from 56 to 77 cm (22 to 30 in), averaging around 69 cm (27 in). Adult males average around 320 g (11 oz), females 280 g (10 oz). The wings are long and broad. The long and heavy bill is about one and a half times as long as the head and is hooked at the end. Voice: Pied currawongs are vocal birds, calling when in flight and at all times of the day. They are noisier early in the morning and in the evening before roosting, as well as before rain. The loud distinctive call has been translated as Kadow-Kadang or Curra-wong, akin to a croak. They also have a loud, high-pitched, wolf-like whistle, transcribed as Wheeo.
What the Pied Currawong sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Pied Currawong can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Pied Currawong?
- The pied currawong is generally a black bird with white in the wing, undertail coverts, the base of the tail and most visibly, the tip of the tail. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Pied Currawong?
- The Pied Currawong is a medium sized bird weighing about 299 g.
- Where can you see a Pied Currawong?
- The Pied Currawong is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What does a Pied Currawong sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Pied Currawong on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Pied Currawong?
- The Pied Currawong is most easily confused with the Grey Currawong and the Black Currawong.
- Is the Pied Currawong endangered?
- The Pied Currawong is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Pied Currawong for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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