Mutant Currawong

casstony · #1 15-06-2011, 09:59 AM

I noticed an unusual bird on the front lawn as I pulled into the driveway yesterday; it was with the pied currawongs, same size, same beak but wrong colour.

I only had a point and shoot camera but managed to get a photo good enough to show the greyish white clour. I've never seen this kind of colour mutation before.

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #2 15-06-2011, 11:44 AM

Hi,

There is a Grey Currawong, or "Bell Magpie"

http://www.waratahsoftware.com.au/pa..._p9190261.html

Cheers

casstony · #3 15-06-2011, 12:26 PM

While Slater's Field Guide lists both Pied and Grey Currawongs in my area I don't recall ever seeing anything other than glossy black birds with white markings, and the Grey Currawong is still not as light coloured as the bird in the photo. This bird was staying close to other Pied Currawongs as if it was part of the family. I could be wong though, as always

Jeffkop (Jeff) · #4 15-06-2011, 12:49 PM

That currowong is really a wongcurra

GeoffW1 (Geoff) · #5 15-06-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffkop

That currowong is really a wongcurra

casstony · #6 15-06-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffkop

That currowong is really a wongcurra

...... very wong.

AstralTraveller (David) · #7 15-06-2011, 02:07 PM

Maybe ... maybe it has somehow lost its flock and so is hanging around with the next best thing. I don't know whether Grey Currawongs are gregarious but I suspect they would be.

jenchris (Jennifer) · #8 15-06-2011, 02:17 PM

eEk for the puns!
The currawong in my garden steals whole apples off the bird table - well halves at any rate!

casstony · #9 15-06-2011, 03:30 PM

They are a pleasure to have in the yard - like having your own circus. Normally wattlebirds dominate our yard but at certain times these interlopers battle for control and the wattlebirds keep a low profile until the currawongs are gone. We've got several large native trees and shrubs to encourage them - and my own sewerage root cutting machine

.

GrahamL · #10 15-06-2011, 04:37 PM

Its not a very young channel bill cuckoo is it tony ? .. magpies and currowongs will raise them as there own.

AstralTraveller (David) · #11 15-06-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightstalker

Its not a very young channel bill cuckoo is it tony ? .. magpies and currowongs will raise them as there own.

A very good idea but is this the right time of year? If it is a cuckoo it will be calling for food incessantly. It will also grow to be much bigger than its 'parents' who will still run themselves ragged trying to keep up with its demands.

casstony · #12 15-06-2011, 04:46 PM

I had to look that one up Graham - the range of the Channel-Billed Cuckoo doesn't extend into southern Victoria where I live. In any case, I got a good look at the bird and it's beak and shape was identical to the Currawongs - colour was the only odd thing about it.

PeterO · #13 15-06-2011, 05:16 PM

Hey Tony,

I had one in my backyard the other day and wondered what it was too, same colour, now I know.

Cheers Peter

oosh (Jason) · #14 15-06-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

Or perhaps a curramong.

casstony · #15 15-06-2011, 05:34 PM

Did you get a good look at the beak Peter? Was it with other Currawongs?

The same mutation happening in different places at the same time would suggest that it's not a mutation - unless the power stations are emitting genetic pathogens into the air

. Or maybe it's just a well travelled bird.

Maybe a serious birder will come along and set us straight.

PeterO · #16 15-06-2011, 05:38 PM

No did not notice the beak but it was with some other currawongs.

Cheers, Peter.

GrahamL · #17 15-06-2011, 07:19 PM

Yeah your right dave channel bills winter in Papua

Aside some shrikes in the bird book Tony it does mention grey currawongs get darker west of melbourne , maybe its a visitor from the coast .

My wife befriended a family of crows a couple of years back , very smart birds, give them dry bread , no worries they go dip it in the bird bath , to much to eat they go hide it under a leaf or bit of grass for later.
Nearly always there would be a couple of currawongs sitting in the tree watching and soon as the crow left they go pinch the food ,,, its a crack up when the crow returns runs over to the leaf , lifts it and theres nothing there

and starts lifting other leaves in vain hope

Spanrz (Brett) · #18 15-06-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffkop

That currowong is really a wongcurra

That sir, is Genius!

Paduan (Brett) · #19 16-06-2011, 10:04 PM

we get a lot of predominantly grey magpies and currawongs here and it was explained to me that they are the Lark (juvenile) of the mature birds. initially i was sceptical how ever after seeing them evolve over the years i believe it to be true maybe this one of yours is a late bloomer