Scientific Name: Strepera graculina

Although resembling crows, currawongs are actually in the same family as the Australian magpies and butcherbirds. They are jet black in colour with white patches on the wings, tail and vent area. The eye is conspicuously bright yellow. Males and females are identical, both reaching around 45cm in length.

Did You Know? In recent years, currawongs have changed their habits. Most used to breed on the tablelands and highland areas, coming down to lower areas in winter. However, the introduction of exotic garden plants has provided ample food throughout the year and has encouraged breeding in the lowlands. This has had a major effect on nesting birds in these regions.

Habitat: The eastern seaboard of Australia, west to central areas of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, is its home. Originally, they were inhabitants of the thick forests of these regions but have adapted well to human conditions and are now regularly seen in urban areas.

Diet: Currawongs are notorious predators of other nesting birds, cleaning out both the eggs and chicks of smaller birds. Insects, frogs, lizards and carrion normally comprise the menu and they will also scavenge at picnic areas and can become somewhat of a problem because of their bold character.

Reproduction: A large untidy platform of twigs and sticks lined with vegetation is constructed usually fairly high up on a tree branch. Three spotted eggs are laid and incubated for three weeks until hatching. The parents feed the insatiable chicks for around a month before they leave the nest.