The grey currawong is a large passerine bird native to southern Australia, including Tasmania. One of three currawong species in the genus Strepera, it is closely related to the butcherbirds and Australian magpie of the family Artamidae. It is a large crow-like bird, around 48 cm (19 in) long on average; with yellow irises, a heavy bill, dark plumage with white undertail and wing patches. The male and female are similar in appearance. Six subspecies are recognised and are distinguished by overall plumage colour, which ranges from slate-grey for the nominate from New South Wales and eastern Victoria and subspecies plumbea from Western Australia, to sooty black for the clinking currawong of Tasmania and subspecies halmaturina from Kangaroo Island. All grey currawongs have a loud distinctive ringing or clinking call.
Region
Southern Australia and Tasmania
Typical Environment
Found across Tasmania and the temperate southern mainland, including coastal heath, eucalypt forests, woodlands, and mallee scrub. It frequents forest edges, riparian corridors, and clearings, and can occur in farmland and larger parks on the fringes of towns. In mountainous areas it uses tall wet forests and subalpine woodlands. It generally avoids dense rainforest and treeless deserts but occupies a broad range of open forest habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey currawong is a large, crow-like member of the Artamidae, closely related to butcherbirds and the Australian magpie. It varies regionally, with six subspecies ranging from slate-grey to sooty black, all showing bright yellow eyes and bold white patches in the wings and tail. Its loud, ringing “clink” calls carry over long distances and are characteristic of southern Australian woodlands. An opportunistic omnivore, it takes insects, small animals, and fruit, and may raid nests for eggs and nestlings.
The clinking currawong of Tasmania has sooty black plumage.
S. v. plumbea has a thicker and more downcurved bill than other subspecies.
Launching from a tree in Ivanhoe in Melbourne's northern suburbs. The white markings on wings and under tail are clearly visible
Black-winged subspecies melanoptera near Robe in southeastern South Australia. This individual has some paler feathers in its wings as it is from a population near the border with other subspecies with white wing patches and hence displays some intermediate characteristics.
Temperament
alert and moderately wary; territorial in breeding season
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups. Pairs maintain territories during breeding, building a stick nest high in a tree and sharing parental duties. Outside the breeding season small loose flocks may form while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voices include loud, resonant ringing or clinking notes, often delivered in spaced sequences that carry far. Also gives harsh calls, caws, and contact notes during foraging and territorial interactions.
