Gray Currawong
Strepera versicolor
EndemicStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Gray Currawong is a large Australian native bird, closely related to butcherbirds and magpies. It is known for its crow-like appearance, bright yellow eyes, and distinctive "clinking" call. Found across southern Australia, its plumage varies by regionfrom pale gray in eastern states to nearly black in Tasmania and Western Australia. Often mistaken for crows, this adaptable bird plays an important role in Australia's ecosystems.
Fun Facts
Gray Currawongs are skilled mimics capable of imitating other birds, dogs, and even human-made sounds like car alarms.
1. Bright yellow eyes contrasting with gray or dark plumage.
2. White undertail coverts and white-tipped tail visible during flight.
3. Unique "clink-clink" call that carries through wooded environments.
Gray Currawongs breed between August and December, building large stick nests high in eucalypt trees. Pairs are territorial year-round, defending their area from other currawongs. Juveniles remain with their parents until the next breeding season, occasionally forming loose flocks during winter in Tasmania. They have an omnivorous diet.
Gray Currawongs inhabit a variety of wooded environments across southern Australia, including mountain forests, coastal woodlands, mallee scrublands, and even urban fringes like parks and farmland. They are most active in the early morning and often forage on the ground by walking deliberately and probing leaf litter. During winter, some populations move into open areas such as farmland. Their calls often reveal their presence before they are spotted.
Physical Attributes
Height
49 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds86%
Habitat
No habitat information available
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