The Currawong: Australia’s Underrated Songbird

Currawong bird. They have a very pretty call. 🐦‍⬛

The Currawong: Australia’s Underrated Songbird

If you’ve ever walked through Australia’s bushland, coastal forests, or even leafy suburbs, you may have heard a call that stops you in your tracks. Rich, flute-like, and echoing through the trees, the song of the Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina) is one of the most distinctive sounds in the Australian landscape.

Often mistaken for a crow or a magpie at first glance, the Currawong is far more than a background bird. Its vocal complexity, adaptability, and widespread presence across eastern Australia make it a species well worth noticing - especially for those who enjoy listening as much as watching.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes the Currawong’s call so memorable, where these birds live, and the role they play within Australia’s ecosystems.

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🔍 What Is a Currawong?

The Pied Currawong is a medium-to-large black bird belonging to the Artamidae family, which also includes butcherbirds and Australian magpies. It is easily recognised by several key features:

• Glossy black plumage

• Bright yellow eyes

• Distinctive white patches on the wings and tail

• A long tail and slender body shape

Native to eastern Australia, Currawongs occupy a wide range of habitats, from dense forests and mountain ranges to coastal areas and urban parks. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in both natural and human-modified environments.

While their size and colouring often lead to confusion with ravens or crows, Currawongs differ significantly in behaviour, diet, and - most notably - voice.

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🎵 Why the Currawong’s Call Is So Remarkable

One of the Currawong’s most striking characteristics is its voice. Unlike the harsh, abrasive calls of many corvids, Currawongs produce a musical, resonant song made up of clear, flute-like notes and echoing phrases.

Their calls can:

• Travel long distances through forested landscapes

• Vary subtly between regions and individuals

• Change in tone and rhythm depending on context

Some people describe the Currawong’s song as soothing or nostalgic, while others find it haunting or almost mournful. It is especially noticeable during cooler months, when Currawongs are more vocal and more likely to appear near homes and urban green spaces.

In addition to their main song, Currawongs use a variety of calls for communication, territory defence, and social interaction. This vocal range reflects their intelligence and relatively complex social structure.

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📍 Where Can You Find Currawongs?

Currawongs are among Australia’s more adaptable native birds and can be found in a wide variety of environments, including:

• Woodlands and open forests

• Coastal scrub and forest edges

• Mountainous regions

• Urban parks, gardens, and golf courses

During winter, Currawongs often move closer to towns and cities in search of reliable food sources. This seasonal shift makes them easier to see and hear, even for people who don’t actively consider themselves birdwatchers.

Their willingness to live near humans has contributed to both their success - and the challenges associated with their growing numbers in some areas.

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🐦 Currawongs vs Magpies: How to Tell the Difference

Although Currawongs and Australian magpies share black-and-white colouring, there are several clear distinctions:

• Currawongs are generally larger and slimmer

• They have bright yellow eyes (magpies have dark eyes)

• Their calls are echoing and flute-like rather than warbling

• Currawongs tend to be less social and less territorial

Recognising these differences not only prevents misidentification but also helps deepen appreciation for the diversity of Australia’s birdlife.

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🌱 The Currawong’s Role in the Ecosystem

Currawongs are omnivores, feeding on insects, fruits, seeds, carrion, and small animals. Through this varied diet, they contribute to the ecosystem in several ways:

• Helping regulate insect populations

• Dispersing seeds through fruit consumption

• Cleaning up carrion in natural environments

However, their adaptability has also raised ecological concerns. In some regions, Currawongs have been observed preying on the nests of smaller native birds, which may impact local populations. This highlights the complex relationship between environmental change, urbanisation, and wildlife success.

Despite these challenges, Currawongs remain a natural part of Australia’s ecosystems and continue to play an important ecological role.

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📸 Final Thoughts: A Bird Worth Listening For

The Currawong may not receive the same attention as some of Australia’s more iconic birds, but its voice adds a unique and unforgettable layer to the country’s natural soundscape.

Next time you’re outdoors, pause for a moment and listen. That rich, echoing call drifting through the trees may belong to one of Australia’s most underrated songbirds - a reminder that some of nature’s most remarkable experiences are heard, not seen.

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