The Canberra currawong

A common bird in Canberra, in the city, suburbs and parks, is the currawong. It is a medium-sized black passerine bird (Strepera fuliginosa) with white tail feathers.

The currawong looks like a crow, raven or magpie. The difference is that the currawong is smaller with longer legs. They have large yellow eyes, whereas crows and ravens have white eyes and magpies have red eyes. Currawongs also have a hooked grey beak.

They are very curious. The one in the photograph kept tapping on the window to attract my attention while I was writing.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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