[53], Medium-sized black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island, "Murni Dhugang Jirrar: Living in the Illawarra", "The phylogeny and classification of Australo-Papuan passerine birds", "Recovery Outline: Pied Currawong (western Victoria)", "The Otway Forester Strepera graculina ashbyi : A neglected and misunderstood subspecies of the Pied Currawong from southern Victoria", "The distribution and abundance of Pied Currawong and Torresian Crow in South-east Queensland", "Pied Currawongs and the decline of native birds", "The Pied Currawong in Urban Canberra: Friend or Foe? Both sexes are similar, although the female may sometimes be greyer on the underparts. When she approaches, he twists his neck around and opens his bill just like young begging for food. Throughout its range it is common and familiar. ... /2016/09/Tilligerry-Habitat-logo-BYBO-final-307px-118px.png Tilligerry Habitat 2015-11-08 14:12:33 2016-09-19 14:04:31 Pied Currawong. Pied Currawongs are found throughout eastern Australia, from northern Queensland to Victoria, but is absent from Tasmania. One of three currawong species in the genus Strepera, it is closely related to the Butcherbirds and Australian Magpie of the family Artamidae. [37] Pied currawongs have been responsible for the spread of the invasive ornamental Asparagus aethiopicus (often called A. densiflorus) in the Sydney area,[50] the weedy privet species Ligustrum lucidum and L. sinense, and firethorn species Pyracantha angustifolia and P. rogersiana around Armidale. This website may contain names, images and voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. [26] The larger grey currawong is readily distinguished by its lighter grey overall plumage and lack of white feathers at the base of the tail. Join us, volunteer and be a part of our journey of discovery! 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 pied currawong is common in both wet and dry sclerophyll forests, rural and semi-urban environments throughout eastern Australia, from Cape York Peninsula to western Victoria and Lord Howe Island, where it occurs as an endemic subspecies. Description: Up there as one of my favourite birds, the Pied Currawong is "a large, mostly black bird, with a bright yellow eye. [20], The pied currawong's impact on smaller birds that are vulnerable to nest predation is controversial: several studies have suggested that the species has become a serious problem, but the truth of this widely held perception was queried in a 2001 review of the published literature on their foraging habits by Bayly and Blumstein of Macquarie University, who observed that common introduced birds were more affected than native birds. [37] A 2007 study conducted by researchers from the Australian National University showed that white-browed scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis) nestlings became silent when they heard the recorded sound of a pied currawong walking through leaf litter. Numbers of channel-billed cuckoos, which parasitise pied currawong nests appear to be on the rise. Quite the same Wikipedia. Six subspecies are recognised. English Articles. [41] The male predominates in threat displays and territorial defence, and guards the female closely as she builds the nest. [26], The pied currawong is common in both wet and dry sclerophyll forests, rural and semi-urban environments throughout eastern Australia, from Cape York Peninsula to western Victoria and Lord Howe Island, where it occurs as an endemic subspecies. The Australian Museum respects and acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which the Museum stands. Pied currawongs are vocal birds, calling when in flight and at all times of the day. Pied Currawongs have adapted well to living in urban areas and their growing numbers have been implicated in the fall in numbers of the smaller bird species. [48] Birds have also been encountered with grey currawongs (S. versicolor) and satin bowerbirds (Ptilinorhynchus violaceus). [38] Pied currawongs vigorously drive off threats such as ravens, and engage in bill-snapping, dive-bombing and aerial pursuit. Ornithologists Charles Sibley and Jon Ahlquist recognised the close relationship between the woodswallowsand the butcherbirds and relatives in 1985, and combi… [30] It has disappeared from Tryon, North West, Masthead and Heron Islands in the [41] The brown goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus) and lace monitor (Varanus varius) have also been recorded taking nestlings. The Pied Currawong prefers forests and woodlands, and has become well adapted to suburban areas. Hooded Robins may have 'helpers' at their nest: other members of the group that help feed the nestlings and fledglings. This increase has been most marked, however, in Sydney and Canberra since the 1940s and 1960s, respectively. Recent. They also take a large number of small and young birds, especially around urban areas where suitable cover is scarce. [26] It builds a nest of thin sticks lined with grass and bark high in trees in spring; generally eucalypts are chosen and never isolated ones. In the north of their range they tend to stay in the same areas year round, while in the south, they may move from the higher areas to the lowlands, especially in the colder regions. The eye is a bright yellow. The Australian Museum will reopen to the public on Saturday 28 November after a 15 month $57.5m building transformation, and general admission will be FREE to celebrate the reopening of this iconic cultural institution. Despite its high biodiversity and biogeographical interest, the fauna of Coolah Tops and the surrounding area is not well known. [31] One 1992 survey reported the total number of pied currawongs in Australia had doubled from three million birds in the 1960s to six million in the early 1990s. The gape is a prominent yellow. The material is gathered by both sexes, but the female builds the nest, which is placed in a high tree fork, up to 20 m above the ground. [6], Its closest relative is the black currawong (S. fuliginosa) of Tasmania, which has sometimes been considered a subspecies. [46], The pied currawong is an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder, eating fruit and berries as well as preying on many invertebrates, and smaller vertebrates, mostly juvenile birds and bird eggs, although they may take healthy adult birds up to the size of a Crested Pigeon on occasion. You have reached the end of the main content. [26] The species has been reported stealing food from other birds such as the Australian hobby (Falco longipennis),[51] collared sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus), and sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). On the ground, a pied currawong hops or struts. [4] However, the exact origin of the term is unclear; the most likely antecedent is the word garrawaŋ from the indigenous Jagera language from the Brisbane region, although the Darug word gurawaruŋ from the Sydney basin is a possibility. [43] The female broods alone. [13] They are a dominant species and common inhabitant of Sydney gardens. Thank you for reading. Larger prey, up to the size of a young possum, is also taken, and birds will occasionally hunt as a group. The main call is a loud "currawong", which gives the bird its name. Their distribution generally follows the Great Dividing Range but they can be found several hundred kilometres inland where suitable habitat … The Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. Six subspecies are recognised. — They are more noisy early in the morning and in the evening before roosting, as well as before rain. Languages. They were also shot on Lord Howe Island for attacking chickens. [26], During the breeding season, pied currawongs will pair up and become territorial, defending both nesting and feeding areas. If you see a Currawong foraging on your lawn, it is looking for grubs and insects to eat. The population of Pied Currawongs, Strepera graculina, on the east coast of Australia is believed to have increased dramatically with the creation of this favourable habitat by humans. [28] In northwestern Victoria, the black-winged currawong (subspecies melanoptera of the grey) does have a darker plumage than other grey subspecies, but its wings lack the white primaries of the pied currawong. Grey Currawongs Currawongs... Curranwong Photo Gallery. [4] The pied currawong can live for over 20 years in the wild.[25]. Photographed by: Bruce Hawkins on Wed 23rd Sep, 2020 and uploaded on Wed 14th Oct, 2020 . The onomatopoeic term currawong itself is derived from the bird's call. [45] The eggs closely resemble those of the currawong hosts. One of three currawong species in the genus Strepera, it is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian magpie of the family Artamidae. The Pied Currawong prefers forests and woodlands, and has become well adapted to suburban areas. During courtship, the male Diamond Firetail holds a long piece of green grass in his bill, then flies to a branch where he sits near the female and begins to bob up and down. The Pied Currawong is a large, mostly black bird, with a bright yellow eye. [47] Beetles and ants are the most common types of insects consumed. Throughout its range it is common and familiar. [8], Six subspecies are currently recognised, characterised principally by differences in size and plumage. The pied currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized 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. The pied currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. Each species account is written by leading ornithologists and provides detailed information on bird distribution, migration, habitat, diet, sounds, behavior, breeding, current population status, and conservation. Of course, there are a few winners in all this. There are 3 species of currawong in Australia: Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) found down the eastern seaboard to Victoria; Black Currawong (Strepera fuliginosa) found only in Tasmania Ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe held that currawongs were more closely related to crows and ravens than the Australian magpie and butcherbirds, and duly placed them in the Corvidae. Frontal view of a Pied Currawong with a deformed bill [Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2013] Lateral view of a Pied Currawong with a deformed bill 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). [29], The species has been implicated in the spread of weeds by consuming and dispersing fruit and seed. The pied currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized 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. [38], The pied currawong bathes by wading into water up to 15 cm (5.9 in) deep, squatting down, ducking its head under, and shaking its wings. Pied Currawongs feed on a variety of foods including small lizards, insects, caterpillars and berries. ", "Notes on Currawong–Sparrowhawk Interactions", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pied_currawong&oldid=988051912, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 November 2020, at 19:29. Small patches of white are confined to the under tail, the tips and bases of the tail feathers and a small patch towards the tip of each wing (visible in flight). It is a robust Throughout its range it is common and familiar. Just better. Outside the breeding season large flocks of Pied Currawongs form, but at most other times these birds are seen alone, in pairs or in family groups. Pied Currawong females are responsible for building the nest. Other frequent sounds include deep croaks and a wolf whistle. Southerly populations also show more white plumage in the tail, with less whiteness on the wing. Description. You have reached the end of the page. [34] However, predation by pied currawongs has been a factor in the decline of Gould's petrel at a colony on Cabbage Tree Island, near Port Stephens in New South Wales; currawongs have been reported preying on adult seabirds. Oystercatchers use their long, strong bills to cut open the adductor muscles (that hold the two shell halves together) of bivalve molluscs in order to eat the soft mollusc's body inside. Resolution: 1800x1200: Viewed: 58: ID: 42890: Comment: Pied currawongs are frequent visitors to my garden at this time of year and often favour this perch so I couldn't resist a portrait shot. [7], 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. Pied Currawongs are found throughout eastern Australia, from northern Queensland to Victoria, but is absent from Tasmania. Currawongs are three species of medium-sized passerine birds belonging to the genus Strepera in the family Artamidae native to Australia. The endemic Black Currawong is a large bird, up to 490mm, completely black, except white-tipped tail feathers and a small patch of white in the wing. They adopt a specific threat display against other currawongs by lowering the head so the head and body are parallel to the ground and pointing the beak out forward, often directly at the intruder. The Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. Other fruit is also sought after, and currawongs have been known to raid orchards, eating apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, stone fruit, citrus, and corn. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. However, they are seen as beneficial in forestry as they consume phasmids, and also in agriculture for eating cocoons of the codling moth. The population of Pied Currawongs, Strepera graculina, on the east coast of Australia is believed to have increased dramatically with the creation of this favourable habitat by humans. [48] The pied currawong consumes fruit, including a wide variety of figs, such as the Moreton Bay (Ficus macrophylla), Port Jackson (F. rubiginosa), Banyan (F. virens) and Strangler fig (F. watkinsiana),[49] as well as lillypillies (Syzygium species), white cedar (Melia azedarach), plum pine (Podocarpus elatus), and geebungs (Persoonia species). Pied Currawongs are found throughout eastern Australia, from northern Queensland to Victoria, but is absent from Tasmania. [7] Together with the larger grey currawong (S. versicolor), they form the genus Strepera. Added in 24 Hours. A recent Australian Museum Expedition to Coolah Tops found a diverse and intriguing fauna. It preens its plumage afterwards, sometimes applying mud or soil first. It has yellow eyes. Feel free to contribute! Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collection, Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), Natural Sciences research and collections, Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station, 2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists, 2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners, Become a volunteer at the Australian Museum. [38] Although often solitary or encountered in small groups, the species may form larger flocks of fifty or more birds in autumn and winter. The Pied Currawong can form large flocks in late summer and winter and may have a large communal roost. Known for its melodious calls, the species' name currawong is believed to be of indigenous origin. The Channel-billed Cuckoo is the largest parasitic cuckoo in the world. [27] The endemic Lord Howe Island subspecies has a distinct, more melodious call. Pied Currawong, Botanic Gardens, Canberra Pied Currawongs are a common bird species along the east coast of Australia, from Cape York down to far south eastern South Australia. [24] Juvenile birds have similar markings to adults but have softer and brownish plumage overall, although the white band on the tail is narrower. [52] Pied currawongs will also harass each other. The eyes are dark brown and the bill dark with a yellow tip. 26 In Tasmania, the Black Currawong is similar but has a heavier bill and call similar to the Pied and lacks the white rump. [5] Yungang as well as Kurrawang and Kurrawah are names from the Tharawal people of the Illawarra region. [26] The loud distinctive call has been translated as Kadow-Kadang or Curra-wong, akin to a croak. Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. [9] Ornithologists Charles Sibley and Jon Ahlquist recognised the close relationship between woodswallows and butcherbirds in 1985, and combined them into a Cracticini clade,[10] which became the family Artamidae. The male also supplies food to the female for the first week after the chicks hatch and she feeds the chicks. Both parents feed the young, although the male does not begin to feed them directly until a few days after birth. [42], Flocks of birds appear to engage in play; one routine involves a bird perching atop a tall tree, pole or spire, and others swooping, tumbling or diving and attempting to dislodge it. Prey may be stored in a 'larder' (hung on a hook or in a tree fork or crevice) and either eaten straight away or, in the case of larger prey, over a period of time. Their removal from the islands halted a decline of the threatened petrels. Larger than its more common relative the Pied Currawong, the Grey Currawong is around 50 centimetres long and a dark sooty grey colour with white … One of three currawong species in the genus Strepera, it is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian magpie of the family Artamidae. Adult males average around 320 g (11 oz), females 280 g (10 oz). Habitat: The Pied Currawong prefers forests and woodlands, and has become well adapted to suburban areas. The long and heavy bill is about one and a half times as long as the head and is hooked at the end. [37] In the first half of the twentieth century, pied currawongs were shot as they were considered pests of corn and strawberry crops, as well as assisting in the spread of the prickly pear. Unlock thousands of full-length species accounts and hundreds of bird family overviews when you subscribe to Birds of the World. The upperparts are darker brown with scallops and streaks over the head and neck, and the underparts lighter brown. [4] Older birds grow darker until adult plumage is achieved, but juvenile tail markings only change to adult late in development. [13], The pied currawong is able to cross bodies of water of some size, as it has been recorded from Rodondo Island, which lies 10 km (6.2 mi) off the coast of Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, as well as some offshore islands in Queensland. The Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized 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. The Pied Currawong Strepera graculina is a nest predator whose population has increased in eastern Australia, ... rather than locally. The species has also been observed anting. Habitat and ecology The Lord Howe Currawong occurs in lowland, hill and mountain regions of the island. The affinities of all three genera were recognised early on and they were placed in the family Cracticidae in 1914 by ornithologist John Albert Leach after he had studied their musculature. The pied currawong was first described by English ornithologist George Shaw in 1790 as Coracias strepera, although Strepera was adopted as a generic name. [2] Pied crow-shrike is an old vernacular name from colonial days,[3] and the term "pied" refers to two or more colors in blotches. Pied currawongs have been recorded taking mice, as well as chickens and turkeys from farms. The Birds in Backyards website lists 30 species of bird that are sometimes found in towns and cities. Leave a Reply Want to join the discussion? The bill is large and black and the legs are dark grey-black. Pied Currawongs are voracious nest predators with a strong negative influence on smaller birds in some areas. A review of the family Cracticidae by ornithologist John Albert Leach in 1914, during which he had studied their musculature, found that all three genera were closely related. Poolicious - a great new range of tasty chocolate - is now available at the Australian Museum. [32][33] The presence of the Lord Howe subspecies is possibly the result of a chance landing there. Pied Currawongs are known for their distinctive, loud and ringing calls which can be far-reaching throughout their territories. The smaller white-winged chough has similar plumage but has red eyes and is found mainly on the ground. In this section, explore all the different ways you can be a part of the Museum's groundbreaking research, as well as come face-to-face with our dedicated staff. It has adapted well to European presence, and has become more common in many areas of eastern Australia, with surveys in Nanango, Queensland, Barham, New South Wales, Geelong, Victoria, as well as the Northern Tablelands and South West Slopes regions in New South Wales, all showing an increase in population. It has more recently become prevalent in South-East South Australia, in and around Mount Gambier. Young Pied Currawongs are duller and browner than the adults. [26] However, evidence for the extent of migration is conflicting, and the species' movements have been little studied to date. The male and female are similar in appearance. A successful challenger is then challenged in its turn by other birds in the flock. [4], Pied currawongs are generally tree-dwelling, hunting and foraging some metres above the ground, and thus able to share territory with the ground-foraging Australian magpie. [47] They occasionally associate with Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen) or common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) when foraging. 0 replies. A Pied Currawong came to our place with a mis-shaped upper mandible. They also have a loud, high-pitched, wolf-like whistle, transcribed as Wheeo. Come and explore what our researchers, curators and education programs have to offer! [36] The presence of pied currawongs in Sydney gardens is negatively correlated with the presence of silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis). [44] The incubation period is not well known, due to the difficulty of observing nests, but observations indicate around 30 days from laying to hatching. overview; data; media; articles; maps; names [29], In general, the pied currawong is sedentary, although some populations from higher altitudes move to areas of lower elevation in winter. Pied currawongs have been known to desert nests once cuckoos have visited, abandoning the existing currawong young, which die,[39] and a channel-billed cuckoo has been recorded decapitating a currawong nestling. A medium-sized black and white bird with a black hood, dark brown eye, black throat and a long, hooked, grey and black bill. The Pied Currawong prefers forests and woodlands, and has become well adapted to suburban areas. Large-eared Pied Bats were discovered in the 1960s. In both cities, the species had previously been a winter resident only, but now remains year-round and breeds there. The Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-large songbird found in eastern Australia and on Lord Howe Island. Little is known about them. collect. It has more recently become prevalent in South-East South Australia, in and around Mount Gambier. Named for the often-heard “curra-wong” call, Pied Currawongs make a range of other vocalisations including loud ringing calls, gurgles and whistles. Throughout its range it is common and familiar. The Pied Currawong's nest is a bowl of sticks, lined with grasses and other soft material. Small patches of white are confined to the under tail, the tips and bases of the tail feathers and a small patch towards the tip of each wing (visible in flight). They will often scavenge, eating scraps and rubbish and can be quite bold when seeking food from people, lingering around picnic areas and bird-feeding trays. It is mainly found in tall natural rainforests and palm forests, typically undisturbed, but it also occurs in cleared and settled areas, remnant patches of forest and the ecotone between cleared land and forest. It is a predator which has adapted well to urbanization and can be found in parks and gardens as well as rural woodland. Improved in 24 Hours. Young Pied Currawongs are duller and browner than the adults. Habitat. Pied Currawongs are voracious nest predators with a strong negative influence on smaller birds in some areas. Local populations of scarlet and eastern yellow robins in the New England area were in decline until pied currawong control was implemented. [4] Birds appear to moult once a year in late summer after breeding. Found in woodlands and occasionally flocking into suburban areas, currawongs live on fruit, insects, small animals, and other birds’ eggs and young: they may be a nuisance in orchards and hen yards. The Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor) is a large omnivorous bird found in southern Australia.Though crow-like in appearance and habits, it is a member of the Artamidae.. Like all passerines, the chicks are born naked, and blind (altricial), and remain in the nest for an extended period (nidicolous) They quickly grow a layer of ashy-grey down. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging. Distribution. Receive the latest news on events, exhibitions, science research and special offers. Live Statistics. A 1994 study in Sydney's leafy northern suburbs measured an average distance of 250 m (820 ft) between nests,[39] while another in Canberra in 1990 had three pairs in a 400 m (1,300 ft) segment of pine-tree lined street. She makes the bowl-shaped nest out of sticks lined with grasses and other soft material. The pied currawong (Strepera graculina) is a medium-sized black passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. Six subspecies are recognised. Australian crow and raven species have white eyes and lack the white rump, and the similar-sized Australian magpie has red eyes and prominent black and white plumage. [44], The channel-billed cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae) parasitizes pied currawong nests, laying eggs which are then raised by the unsuspecting foster parents. Image credit: gadigal yilimung (shield) made by Uncle Charles Chicka Madden. [40] Territories have been measured around 0.5–0.7 ha in Sydney and Wollongong, although these were restricted to nesting areas and did not include a larger feeding territory, and 7.9 ha in Canberra. [4] The wings are long and broad. Its binomial names were derived from the Latin strepera, meaning "noisy", and graculina for resembling a jackdaw. The damage was reminiscent of that done to the bills of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos suffering from PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease). [8] Although crow-like in appearance and habits, currawongs are only distantly related to true crows, and instead belong to the family Artamidae, together with the closely related Australian magpie and the butcherbirds. Currawongs will hunt in trees, snatching birds and eggs from nests, as well as insects and berries from trees. Habitat: Found in parks and gardens as well as rural woodland . Six subspecies are recognise Pied currawong. More. The female incubates the eggs, and the male feeds her. The Australian Museum respects and acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which the Museum stands. [35] Furthermore, a University of New England study published in 2006 reported that the breeding success rates for the eastern yellow robin (Eopsaltria australis) and scarlet robin (Petroica boodang) on the New England Tablelands were improved after nests were protected and currawongs culled, and some yellow robins even re-colonised an area where they had become locally extinct. Birds roost in forested areas or large trees at night, disperse to forage in the early morning and return in the late afternoon. Aus_Birds14 - Pied Currawong, Sydney, Australia: The Pied Currawong's normal habitat is forests and woodlands, however it has become well adapted to suburban areas where it is a common sight. It produces a clutch of three eggs; they are a light pinkish-brown colour (likened by one author to that of silly putty) with splotches of darker pink-brown and lavender. Within its range, the pied currawong is generally sedentary, although populations at higher altitudes relocate to lower areas during the cooler months. It has adapted well to European presence, and has become more common in many areas of eastern Australia, with surveys in Nanango, Queensland, Barham, New South Wales, Geelo… [30] More recently still, a survey of the population of pied currawongs in southeastern Queensland between 1980 and 2000 had found the species had become more numerous there, including suburban Brisbane. A recent Australian Museum Expedition to Coolah Tops helped close this gap, as our scientists found a diverse and intriguing fauna. Capricorn Group on the Great Barrier Reef. It is omnivorous, with a diet that includes a wide variety of berries and seeds, invertebrates, bird eggs, juvenile birds and young marsupials. [42], Although found in many types of woodland, the pied currawong prefers to breed in mature forests. Habitat. In this section, there's a wealth of information about our collections of scientific specimens and cultural objects. There is a steady change to the birds' morphology and size the further south they are encountered, with lighter and more greyish plumage, larger body size, and a shorter bill. The habitat includes every kind of forested area, although mature forests are preferred for breeding. This is an adaptable species common in a variety of habitats including rainforest, wet & dry eucalypt forest, woodland, farmland and urban areas. [37], Birds forage singly or in pairs in summer, and more often in larger flocks in autumn and winter, during which time they are more likely to loiter around people and urban areas. Other common names include pied chillawong, currawang, charawack, kurrawack, tallawong, tullawong, mutton-bird, Otway forester, and pied afternoon-tea bird. The nest is built in a high tree fork, up to 20m above the ground. Roosting, nesting and the bulk of foraging take place in trees, in contrast with the ground-foraging behaviour of its relative, the Australian magpie. It is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian Magpie of the family Artamidae. They also hunt in the air and on the ground. [25] Insects predominate in the diet during summer months, and fruit during the winter. These are the grey currawong (Strepera versicolor), pied currawong (S. graculina), and black currawong (S. fuliginosa). Pied Currawong Strepera graculina (Shaw 1790). Tapered oval in shape, they measure about 30 mm × 42 mm (1.2 in × 1.7 in).