Grey Currawong

in #featheredfriends4 years ago

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When you look at this bird, you might wonder if I got the colour right. In Australia, there are 3 main types of currawongs: black currawongs, pied currawongs, and this interesting grey currawong with 6 highly variable subspecies. It took some time to identify it as I sorted through images, descriptions, and cross referenced ranges.

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The main difference between the black currawong and this local grey is the white area under its tail. The blacks don't have it. The local grey with the sooty plumage is also called a clinking currawong after its call. I will let you know if I ever figure out that part!

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Currawongs are large birds closely related to crows, playful and intelligent.

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When the white markings are hidden in a photo, the yellow eye helps with identification, otherwise you might think it's a raven but ravens have white eyes.

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View from the back, below.

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They're fun to watch but sometimes you wonder who is watching whom.

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References

Grey Currawong

Images

Photos by @kansuze using my Canon SX620 HS in Hobart, Tasmania.

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@kansuze