Magpie-lark, male.
Photo: R Major © Australian Museum
Magpie-lark, female.
Photo: R Major © Australian Museum
Magpie-lark. Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.
Photo: Research Library © Australian Museum
Magpie-lark, female.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Grallina cyanoleuca
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Magpie-lark
Scientific name: Grallina cyanoleuca
Family: Dicruridae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Survey species
- Top 40 bird songs
What does it look like?
Description
The Magpie-lark is distinctively marked in black and white. The thin whitish bill and pale iris separate it from other similarly coloured species. The adult male Magpie-lark has a white eyebrow and black face, while the female has an all-white face with no white eyebrow. Young birds have a black forehead, a white eyebrow and a white throat. The Magpie-lark is often referred to as a Peewee or Pee Wee, after the sound of its distinctive calls.
Similar species
The name Magpie-lark is quite misleading, as the species has no link with either the magpies or the larks. However, the Magpie-lark is sometimes confused with the Australian Magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen. While both species are black and white, the Magpie-lark is noticeably smaller than the Australian Magpie.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Magpie-larks are confined to Australasia, being found throughout Australia (although only a rare vagrant to Tasmania), southern New Guinea and Timor.
Habitat
Magpie-larks are found in almost any habitat except rainforests and the driest deserts and are familiar urban birds.
Seasonal movements
Seasonal migrations;non-breeding and young birds form large nomadic flocks, sometimes consisting of several thousand individuals; mainly move north in autumn/winter and south in spring/summer
What does it do?
Feeding
The Magpie-lark is mostly ground-dwelling, and is usually seen slowly searching on the ground for a variety of insects and their larvae, as well as earthworms and freshwater invertebrates.
Breeding
Magpie-larks build an unusual mud nest. During the breeding season both the male and female gather wet mud and construct a bowl-shaped nest on a horizontal branch, or similar site, often up to 20 m above the ground. The bowl is lined with feathers and grasses. The male and female birds often sit side by side and call alternately, each raising and lowering their wings as they do so. Magpie-larks aggressively defend their nest and territory, which may occupy up to 10 ha. Both parents share the incubation duties and care for the young. If conditions are favourable, more than one brood may be reared in a year.
Living with us
Living with humans
Magpie-larks can be aggressive during breeding season.
References
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.