Black-faced Cuckooshrike

Overview

The black-faced cuckooshrike is a common omnivorous passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. It holds protected status in New South Wales under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.

Identification

• Features a prominent black face and throat, grey plumage, and white underparts.
• Possesses a somewhat hooked bill and measures between 32 cm and 34 cm in length.
• Produces a shrill, screaming call that sounds like 'creearck'.

Habitat

Widely distributed in almost any wooded habitat throughout its range, excluding rainforests, though it also occurs in urban areas. It is a fairly common sight on power lines in Australian cities such as Sydney and Perth.

Diet

Eats insects, their larvae, caterpillars, other invertebrates, as well as some fruits and seeds. Invertebrates may be caught in flight or while searching through the foliage.

Did you know?

The Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara know the species as julgira and would clip their wings to keep them as pets.