Nature conservation

Threatened species

Pied Currawong (Lord Howe Is. subsp.) - profile

Indicative distribution


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known
predicted
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Strepera graculina crissalis
Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
Commonwealth status: Vulnerable
Profile last updated: 25 Jan 2019

Description

The Lord Howe Currawong is a subspecies of the Pied Currawong, which occurs in eastern mainland Australia. The Lord Howe Currawong is a fairly large, crow-like bird, slightly bigger than an Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen), with a long, robust and pointed bill, and bright, golden-yellow eyes. It is glossy black with a white tip to the tail, and conspicuous white patches on the outerwings, at the base of the uppertail, and on the lower undserbody and base of the undertail. The Lord Howe Currawong differs from most other subspecies by its slightly longer and more slender bill, and smaller white patches and narrower white tail-tip.

Distribution

The Lord Howe Currawong is restricted to Lord Howe Island. It is distributed across the the island, though more widespread and more abundant in the southern mountains and northern hills. They also occur on some associated islets, including those of the Admiralty Group, off the northern tip of Lord Howe Island itself.

Habitat and ecology

  • The Lord Howe Currawong occurs in lowland, hill and mountain regions of the island. It is mainly found in tall natural rainforests and palm forests, typically undisturbed, but it also occurs in cleared and settled areas, remnant patches of forest and the ecotone between cleared land and forest. The subspecies also forages in colonies of seabirds on offshore islets.
  • Lord Howe Currawongs breed in rainforest and palm forest, mainly on hill-slopes and mountains, with all breeding territories including a section of stream or gully and with most nests near water.
  • After breeding, in autumn and winter, Currawongs tend to disperse from higher altitudes to the lowlands, with greater numbers in lowland forests and in cleared and settled areas of the island at this time.
  • Lord Howe Currawongs forage at all levels of their habitat, from the ground to the canopy, and sometimes aerially. They are omnivorous, eating a wide range of fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small vertebrates, particularly rats and mice, and small birds, bird eggs and nestlings. Currawongs also eat fruits and seeds of some exotic plants and are implicated in the spread of such species on the island. They are the only remaining native predator of vertebrates on the island.
  • Most breeding occurs in late spring and early summer (September or October to December), though there is some evidence of breeding occasionally occurring as early as July. The clutch is three eggs, though there are few records of clutch-size; in mainland Australia, clutches are of one to four eggs, usually three or four.
  • Nests are usually placed high in trees and are often inaccessible. The nest is a large, rough open bowl-shape made of sticks, twigs and vines, and with a neat inner cup of fine vegetation, such as grass and palm thatch.
  • Nestlings remain in the nest for about 30 days, and then stay with their parents for another 50 or so days until they are independent.
  • There are few data on breeding success. In the 2005-06 breeding season, five of twelve clutches observed produced at least one fledgeling, and one pair successfully reared two broods (a total of five fledgelings). Successful broods usually consist of one or two young but, in some seasons, pairs may not rear a brood at all.
  • The age at which Lord Howe Currawongs first breed is not known, nor is the life expectancy of the subspecies. However, on the mainland, individuals have been known to live for more than 20 years.
  • Birds defend territories in the breeding season, with some territories defended throughout the year. Territories are usually about 6 ha in area, with some up to 10 ha, and territorial boundaries may vary with population.
  • Lord Howe Currawongs occur singly, in pairs, small family groups after breeding and, in the non-breeding season, in small flocks of up to 15 birds. Their flight is distinctively undulating.
  • They are also often bold and inquisitive birds, and readily adapt to the presence of humans and occupy human settlements.

Regional distribution and habitat

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Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
OceanSouth Pacific Ocean Known None
Pacific Subtropical IslandsLord Howe Island Known None