Wednesday 10 October 2012

Wild Bird Wednesday 13 - Pied Currawong

This rather magnificent bird is a Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina).  Although they look a little like long thin crows, they are in a different family.  As you may guess from the impressive beak they feed on small mammals, reptiles and nestlings.  Its the tendency of this bird to feed on young birds in the nest that makes it rather unpopular in some quarters.  In urban areas they can be a major cause of mortlaity in smaller birds.  This is of course not a problem for a currawong - it's just a marker that somewhere along the line the balance has tipped in favour of this bird.

The calls of these birds are remarkable in the range of sound produced and for its ability to carry over long distances.  I start to hear these birds around my house in the autumn, but as spring comes they move away to higher ground - in this case The Grampians.

I like the shape of these birds, the shear size of the beak and that yellow eye.






The slight variation in the feathers suggest that this may be an old juvenile (if you see what I mean).

Now its your turn to link up to Wild Bird Wednesday.

Click on the link below and follow the instructions - visit the other WBWers and generally enjoy the birds!


37 comments:

  1. he is really impressive! massive beak and sharp eye! :)

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  2. That interesting bird looks like quite a character, Stewart. Beautiful shots.

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  3. nice eyes!!

    and beautifully focused shots!!

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  4. Very striking and handsome bird! I like the heavy beak and yellow eyes!

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  5. Splendid photos of this bird. It do looks like a crow.
    Have a nice evening, Stewart!
    Greetings Pia

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  6. Cool birds and shots, Stewart. Your Pied Currawong does have pretty eyes. Thanks for sharing and hosting!

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  7. A magnificent looking bird and wonderful pictures. The beak is a bit scary but the eyes are mesmerizing.

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  8. Very nice bird and a nice shot ,have a nice evening . Greetings Nette

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  9. They look like magnificent birds. How big are they compared to a Carrion Crow? From Findlay

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  10. Beautiful shots of this magnificent looking bird Stewart!

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  11. Quite an impressive-looking bird. Nice captures.

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  12. Beautiful shots, Stewart!! I have heard their calls up in the mountains but never seem to get close enough for a shot!

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  13. There are other birds that have the bad habit of robbing nests, but it is all part of keeping things in balance. I don't like thinking about that part, but I do love the birds and respect their role in nature. This is a handsome bird ... very much like our Grackle with the yellow eyes and black body. But the Currawong has it over everyone with that marvelous beak. He must be very proud :) Thank you, once again this is a new bird for me, so I continue to learn from you.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  14. wonderful pics! may be you would like to see my birdhouse :)
    http://tinaswordlesswednesday.blogspot.de/2012/10/tinas-wordless-wednesday-63.html

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  15. I love that yellow eye! And he's a beautiful bird.

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  16. A superb bird Stewart and great shots.

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  17. They look beautiful - even if their actions are not so beautiful!

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  18. ps...love the eye color AND the tail markings.

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  19. Good close ups!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  20. they are a striking bird; lovely photographs you got Stewart

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  21. What an interesting and beautiful bird! The white parts really make him unique so you wouldn't confuse him with the crow. These are really remarkable images, Stewart!

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  22. They do look like they'd be a commanding force wherever they are.

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  23. Now that's a beak. Great shots Stewart.

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  24. That currawong does have an imposing beak. It must be a terror to the small birds. Thanks again for hosting us on Wednesday!

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  25. Never seen this variety before. Neat captures! It can easily be mistaken for its distant cousin.

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  26. This bird reminds me of our Grackles. Reckon...the eyes are spooky.:)

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  27. What a great looking species Stewart...They kind of remind me of our Ravens and Crows...and I bet they are quite the characters to observe too~

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  28. A BEAUTIFUL bird .... looks a bit like a grackle - which a lot of folks dislike in my neck of the woods - but I think are beauties.
    Your captures are absolutely Awesome!

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  29. Beautiful birds and beautiful photos. Happy WW.

    http://photo.daddyforever.com/

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  30. An impressive bird indeed. Our American Crows here have the same habits.

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  31. It's a smart looking bird Stewart but a pity about its habits I suppose, especially if the balance has changed. We have almost the same trouble now with Magpies raiding garden nests. By the way alba wagtails are the generic term for either Pied or White Wagtails, birds that cannot be be reliably assigned to either due to poor views, hearing just the calls or in some cases inter breeding. They can be difficult in autumn time.

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  32. for being that kind of bird it looks very gentle. :)

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  33. We were lucky enough to see the Grey Currawong when we were down your way.

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