Strepera graculina

Size: Birds Size: 41-51 cm

Family: Artamidae (Woodswallows, Butcherbirds, Currawongs, 15 species in Australia).

Distribution: Southeast Australia within a few hundred km from the coast.

Status: Locally Abundant to Common.

Habitat: Open and low open forest, woodland, scrub, agricultural and urban land.

References: Simpson and Day, Reader's Digest

About the Pied Currawong

The Pied Currawong is one of the most commonly seen and heard birds in the areas where it lives. It is sometimes mistaken for the Australian Magpie, which is closely related (it is in the same family and subfamily) .However the Currawong is larger, has less white markings on it, and it does not attack people. It also has a yellow eye while the Magpie has a red eye.

Also unlike the Magpie, Pied Currawongs sometimes gather in huge "Currawong Parties", where as many as 100 birds will hang out together, making loud "wheeeeeeew wheeeeeee-EEEEEE-w" noises as well as theis usual call which (if you have a good imagination) sounds a bit like the word "currawong".

There is a different species, the Grey Currawong, which is similar but grey in colour rather than black.

Photo: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.

Photo: Wentworth Falls, Blue Mountains NSW.

Artwork: John Gould, 'The Birds of Australia', 1848. Higher Resolution 694 x 1000.

See Also

Australian Mammals
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Australian Wild Plant Foods

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