Magpie-Lark

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.

Habitat:

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

Notes:

The Magpie-lark's mud nest seems to link it closely with the mud-nest builders of the Family Corcoracidae, the White-winged Chough, and the Apostlebird. But it actually belongs in the Family Dicruridae (Monarchs, Fantails, and Drongos).