It's been at least 10 years since I have seen a Grey Currawong, and that was back in Sydney where a pair nested in a tree at the local public school for a few seasons before moving on.
Last week I had a Grey Currawong call in for a feed whilst I was out with the King Parrots and Crimson Rosella's. There is an abundance of Pied Currawongs in this area (Upper Blue Mountains) but first time I have sighted a Grey Currawong.
The bird interacted with my regular Pied Currawong visitors with no chasing or fights breaking out, and willingly accepted a multi grain bread crust as a handout. The bird has been back a few times since, always alone.
Would be interested to know who else observes Grey Currawongs on a regular basis as they are few and far between in the Sydney & Blue Mountians region.
In some eastern Melbourne suburbs they are urbanising to some extent like their Pied relatives, though the Greys usually prefer reserves with denser native vegetation cover (though they can be very approachable).
I don't regularly observe them myself but I have seen them recently a number of times, such as near Lockley's Pylon (Mt Hay Rd, Leura) and near Minni Ha Ha Falls (Katoomba). I know Mt Hay Rd, Leura is a regular location for them and they are reported from Katoomba and Blackheath fairly frequently. I don't know about the Lower Mountains but I'd say they're less often reported. Interestingly one was heard in the grounds of the church in Springwood back in February.
Where exactly are you, if you don't mind me asking?
i have many currawongs visiting atm. how do i tell pied from grey? and i am in the eastern suburbs of melb too.
Pied = pied black/white bird, grey underneath in vic birds. juvenile greyish. always with white at top of tail, white wings patches visible on wings when perched and in flight. Call= exotic-sounding whistles and iconic 'cudow cudow cudowawee'. bill hooked. usually sociable in lose congregations.
Grey = noticeably greyer bird (do not confuse with juv. pied which is also greyish). no white at top of tail, white wing patches usually only visible in flight only. Call= loud abrupt almost parrot-like ringing 'Krick Krick!' or 'Kling Kling'. bill not hooked. usually solitary or in pairs/small groups.
note this refers to subspecies found in Melb only, both species vary quite a bit in plumage and vocalisations across the country.
both are found in eastern suburbs though the former is still much commoner.
ah, the ones visiting here must be pied then. both the top and bottom of the tail is white. i really had never seen one ever, until this year. the council has planted heaps of native trees though and there are sooo many more native birds than ever b4 around here. i even got to see a flock of little corelllas (they bought their own food from a local fir tree).
Nice to hear the native plantings are attracting more native birdlife to your area, birdywatcher.