Strepera graculina
Description
The Currawong is a large bird which is predominantly black with some white on the wing edges and the tip of the tail. It is often confused with the Magpie but may be distinguished easily by its yellow eye. Both sexes are similar.
Distribution
The Pied Currawong is common all along the eastern sea border and is present in approximately 65% of Sydney backyards. While some birds are sedentary, others are nomadic and move around in large flocks of up to 100 birds. During the breeding season, each pair defends a territory surrounding their nest site within which they forage for food.
Habits & Habitat
These birds are omnivourous scavengers. Their diet includes carrion, insects, lizards, eggs, snails, berries, small birds and nestlings. They are gregarious and call to each other loudly. During the breeding months vetebrates comprise a larger part of their diet.
Currawongs traditionally nested in the tall forests of the Great Dividing Range and came into Sydney to forage during Winter. However, since about 1970, a permanent population has developed and grown. Increased breeding populations are an ecological response to human induced changes to the Sydney vegetation and landscape.
Their round stick nests are usually located high in the branches of eucalypts. Fledglings do not fly well initially and may be seen hopping from branch to branch calling to their parents for food. Both parents feed the young for a few weeks after they fledge. Currawong nests are a common target for Channel Billed Cuckoos who lay their eggs and leave them for the Currawongs to raise.
Currawongs are unpopular due to their perceived contribution to a reduction in the small bird population of the Sydney area. However, there is little scientific evidence supporting this belief. Currawongs are only one of many larger birds which prey on the smaller species. Smaller bird species have largely fallen victim to the use of pesticides and the reduction in the amount of garden under-story (thick bushes) which traditionally provided them with shelter.
Links and References
Simpson and Day (1999), "Field Guide to the Birds of Australia", Viking