The Pied currawong (Strepera graculina) is a passerine bird native to eastern Australia and Lord Howe Island. It is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian magpie. It is a robust crowlike bird known for its melodious calls, and its name currawong is believed to be of indigenous origin.
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. It has yellow eyes. The wings are long and broad. The long and heavy bill is about one and a half times as long as the head and is hooked at the end. Juvenile birds have similar markings to adults but have softer and brownish plumage overall, although the white band on the tail is narrower. The upperparts are darker brown with scallops and streaks over the head and neck, and the underparts lighter brown. The eyes are dark brown and the bill is dark with a yellow tip. The gape is a prominent yellow. Older birds grow darker until adult plumage is achieved, but juvenile tail markings only change to adult late in development. Birds appear to molt once a year in late summer after breeding.
Pied currawongs are found throughout eastern Australia, from Cape York Peninsula to western Victoria and Lord Howe Island. In general, these birds are sedentary, although some populations from higher altitudes move to areas of lower elevation in winter. Pied currawongs inhabit both wet and dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands, scrublands, rural and semi-urban environments.
Pied currawongs are generally tree-dwelling birds. They hunt in trees and in the air and on the ground. At night they roost in forested areas or large trees, disperse to forage in the early morning, and return in the late afternoon. Pied currawongs are often seen singly or in small groups but may also form larger flocks of 50 or more birds in autumn and winter. Pied currawongs are vocal birds, calling when in flight and at all times of the day. They are noisier early in the morning and in the evening before roosting, as well as before rain. The loud distinctive call has been translated as 'Kadow-Kadang' or 'Curra-wong', akin to a croak. They also have a loud, high-pitched, wolf-like whistle, transcribed as 'Wheeo'. The subspecies that is native to Lord Howe Island has a distinct, more melodious call.
Pied currawongs are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. They eat fruit and berries as well as prey on many juvenile birds and bird eggs, mice, insects, as well as chickens and turkeys from farms. Insects predominate in the diet during summer months, and fruit during the winter. Pied currawongs also often scavenge, eating scraps and rubbish.
Pied currawongs are monogamous and for pairs. They breed from July until January. During the breeding season, Pied currawongs become territorial, defending both nesting and feeding areas. The female builds a nest of thin sticks lined with grass and bark high in trees in spring. She then lays a clutch of 3 eggs; they are a light pinkish-brown color with splotches of darker pink-brown and lavender. The female incubates the eggs alone for about 20-21 days. The chicks are naked, and blind (altricial) when they hatch and remain in the nest for about 30 days. They quickly grow a layer of ashy-grey down. Both parents feed the young, although the male does not begin to feed them directly until a few days after birth.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Pied currawong is widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are increasing.
