I SAY YES!
I must admit that Australia’s pied currawongs do not have a great reputation. They are opportunists, preying on unwary small birds and robbing the nests of others. I’ve never forgiven a local gang of them for harassing our nesting tawny frogmouth and stealing the eggs. However, apart than that dreadful episode they co-exist peacefully with all the other feathered visitors to our garden. I think this must be because we have a thick under-storey of native shrubs and grasses. Tiny birds can hide away when danger threatens. Currawongs are also guilty of gorging on the berries of exotic plants such as holly and laurel, spreading them through our national parks. Oh yes, and they are thieves, leave your alfresco lunch for a moment and it will disappear.
On the positive side, they are full of character.
The birds have a melodious call, which led to their common name. In the early morning and at dusk they can be heard caroling, ‘curra-wong…curra-wong!’
Earth- rich, raucous laughter shakes
Through kookuburra’s song,
But this bird has a mournful voice,
Cause he’s a currawong!
SPRING, WHEN A YOUNG MAN’S FANCY…..
After a new little currawong leaves the nest it follows its parent around, squawking non-stop for food. Twins are just that much more exhausting! The parent in the pic below looks slightly alarmed by that larger one.
Mind you, it could be worse. To put things in perspective, a currawong could up end with a channel billed cuckoo’s egg in its nest. This results in a ‘changeling’ with an even bigger appetite.
Our twin currawongs entertained me no end last year, despite their constant squawking. One morning I noticed they were almost grown up, and having their own little breakfast drink.
On one of their last days of being fed I was able to get some close shots as they waited for food in the Japanese maples. By now their eyes were beginning to show more colour. Soon they would have the same, distinctive golden orbs as their parents. Talk about personality plus!
After breakfast there is often a lecture from Mum on how to maintain ascendancy in Pauline Conolly’s garden. ‘Never take a backward step my chickies, especially in the presence of a wattle bird.’
There are so many colourful birds here in the Blue Mountains that I tend to neglect the currawongs. But sometimes they are so entertaining I can’t resist a shot…or two.
So are currawongs cute? Well, yes I think they are……little ones anyway! How could I say otherwise under this intense gaze?
Some days are just too hot for a youngster.
Nevertheless, the world is full of wonder for a curious currawong.
UPDATE – When this article was posted to a FB bird group, Tammy Kirtley responded. She had raised a currawong chick to maturity. It is now wild and free, but still returns for a little treat, and nests annually in her backyard. Thanks for allowing me to use this delightful photo, Tammy.
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Yes, I think they’re delightfully characteristic.
They are as entitled to eat meat (birds, eggs etc
(as we are to eat pork) some may consider that
canabulistic but that’s just a human point of view.
I wouldn’t lose too much sleep if a channel billed
cuckoo chick disappeared down one’s throat.
By the way when are you doing the survey on CBCs?
I think only a channel billed cuckoo’s mother would have any affection for it, Sammy.
I am also a big fan of these much maligned birds! As for their eating habits – that are just eating to live, the same as any animal or human for that matter. There’s no maliciousness in their ways. We’ve shared our garden with them for years and really enjoy their company.
Love your photos by the way, especially the one with the ‘duck’!
They are not nearly as aggressive as the wattle birds, Christine. Keep pretty much to themselves here, and I am more inclined to her them singing down in the bush.
I love them because their a native and have their place here in Australia just like magpies kookaburras and many other carnivores, as you say with protection the little ones can find safety in amongst the undergrowth, it’s the Indian mynas I find detestable they don’t belong and cause so much carnage to our natives, horrible birds, pack them up and send them back to India where they belong … just my thoughts 😊
Yes, I agree about the Indian Mynas. Oddly enough they have been in Blackheath village for the 20 years we have been in the Blue Mountains, but thankfully have never ventured to our place, only a 5 minute walk away. Hope it stays that way. It’s the same with pigeons and sparrows.