Black Currawong
Photograph by Peter Grant
Description
The endemic Black Currawong is a large bird (up to 490mm). It is completely black, except for white-tipped tail feathers and a small patch of white in the wing. The eye is a bright yellow.
Habitat
It is common throughout the highlands of Tasmania in subalpine forest and
woodland, often moving to lower altitudes during the winter, when it can form flocks of up to 50 individuals.
Diet
The Black Currawong is a opportunistic feeder, taking a wide range of food items, including lizards, mice, invertebrates and fruits. In areas frequented by people, the animals bold nature may lead it to snatch food from a persons hand. To ensure that they retain a natural and healthy diet, and to prevent them becoming a nuisance, it is important not to feed currawongs.
Breeding
The nest is a large, bowl-shaped mass of sticks built in the branches of trees. Between two and four eggs are laid.
Call
The call, so distinctive of the Tasmania highlands, is a loud
kar-week-week-kar. (Audio recordings courtesy of Peter Grant)
Distribution
Found in suitable habitat throughout Tasmania.