White-winged Chough

Description:

Adults grow to almost 50cm, black feathers with white wing patch mostly visible when in flight, long tail, down curved beak (black) red eyes which appear to glow during breeding season and also when alarmed, male and female similar, alarm call is extremely loud, normal calls consist of chatter, low whistles and hum. Usually seen in small family groups or parties made up of at least 3to4 individuals often more, large groups of 100 have been observed at specifically good food source areas. Very sociable birds turning over leaf litter feeding on invertebrates, seeds, fruit, lizards as they march across paddocks, lawns and forest floor. Mud nests are built off the ground. Often seen moving with a hunched posture.

Habitat:

Forest and woodland, prefers near water sources, highly visible on sides of road and often heard crying mournfully in the forest. Found throughout eastern Australia from coast to inland regions.

Notes:

Choughs are known to 'steal' or 'kidnap' the immature birds from other groups to take as their own, building up their group number and mixing the genes.