In all my travels throughout Australia, one of the places that I loved to go chasing wildlife is in Tasmania. Some of the wildlife species in Tasmania can be found nowhere else in the world. One such bird species is the Black Currawong. Many of us a familiar with the distinctive ‘black & white bird’ with the echoing call that is the Pied Currawong. However, other Currawong species are present in Australia. The Black Currawong is predominately black in colour with a bright yellow eye and white on the underside tip of their tail. In Tasmania, the Black Currawong may be mistaken for the Clinking Currawong which is race of the Grey Currawong. The major difference being that the Clinking Currawong also has white undertail feathers near the legs.
The habitat of the Black Currawong includes alpine areas, farms, islands and coasts. In 2015, I visited Tasmania for the first time to see its endemic birds and the first Black Currawong I saw was on Maria Island. One of the best places to see these birds is at Cradle Mountain. Being a typical Currawong species, these birds have no fear and are every easy to see at Cradle Mountain where they spend much of their time foraging for food. Their distinctive call can be heard echoing over the walking tracks at Cradle Mountains.
There are 3 races of the Black Currawong. As previously mentioned, the distribution of these 3 races is in Tasmania or on nearby islands. Often the birds can be seen singly and in family parties. The Black Currawong has an omnivorous diet which means that will eat plant and animal matter. Of all the bird species in Tasmania, the Black Currawong tends to be easier to see then the others. However, I had to work to see my first one! Their call and mannerisms make the Black Currawong an interesting bird to observe. I strongly encourage anyone who visits Cradle Mountain to take the time to watch this bird go about its every day business. Like all Currawong species, they are full of character!
