Currawongs and leaf litter

["Paul T." <>]

At 10:31 PM 10/07/2009, you wrote:
> Yes
> indeed. I would add that the Grey Currawong usually is fairly solitary or
> in pairs. So 7 together would be unusual and certainly suggestive of the
> Pied Currawong. The foraging through curls and sheets of bark is typical
> of the Grey Currawong but of course the Pied does it too. The beak shape
> is also different, much slimmer in the Grey Currawong. The mostly grey
> plumage is also a clue but that is variable and young PC are not as black
> as the adults. 

Philip et al,

Thank you kindly for all the replies.  As you say, the fact that the
Pieds are variable was why I had assumed this one was just another
Pied.  From the description from Anthony yesterday (Thank you
kindly) I have it clear in my mind now what the difference is if I see
them again.  Is the Grey also a little more slender than the
Pied?  The bird in question in my garden was rather sleek as
compared to the usual thugs around the garden.  All the ones I have
seen this morning were definitely Pieds, I've checked every one I have
seen. <grin>  Do they hang out together at all?  I can't
recall whether my bird in question had the others around at the same time
or not.  It was definitely foraging by itself on the ground at the
time.

Thanks again for all the help.  I have never been aware of having
Grey Currawongs here before, so I can add that to my mental list of
things I have seen here.

Cheers.

Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about anything else that doesn't move!! ******************************************************************************************************* This is the email announcement and discussion list of the Canberra Ornithologists Group. List-Post: <> List-Help: <> List-Unsubscribe: <> List-Subscribe: <> List archive: List manager: David McDonald, email <>