Lord Howe currawong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lord Howe currawong |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Artamidae |
| Genus: | Strepera |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
S. g. crissalis
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| Trinomial name | |
| Strepera graculina crissalis Sharpe, 1877
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The Lord Howe currawong (Strepera graculina crissalis) is a cool bird that lives only on Lord Howe Island in Australia. It's a type of pied currawong, but it's special because it's found nowhere else! This bird is mostly black and is part of a bird family called Artamidae. It's considered a threatened subspecies, which means its population is quite small.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Lord Howe currawong looks a lot like other pied currawongs. It's mostly a black bird with bright yellow eyes. You can spot white patches on its wings and under its tail. It also has white at the very bottom and tip of its tail.
Compared to other currawongs from mainland Australia, this one has a longer, thinner beak. It also has less white on its wings and tail. Its eyes might look a bit lighter too.
Where Does It Live?
This special currawong only lives on the Lord Howe Island group. It likes to hang out in the island's natural subtropical rainforests. You'll often find it in areas with lots of palm forests, especially near creeks and in valleys. It also lives in places where people live.
How Does It Behave?
The Lord Howe currawong is a very curious bird. It might even follow you if you're walking on the island's paths!
During the time they are raising their young, these birds can become quite protective. They might swoop down at people who get too close to their nests.
What Does It Eat?
The currawong is an omnivore, which means it eats both plants and animals. It's also a predator, so it hunts for its food. These birds search all over the island for meals. They even visit nearby seabird colonies to find food.
They eat small birds and the young chicks of many different birds. This can even include young farm birds like chickens! Besides meat, they also enjoy seeds and fruits.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Lord Howe currawongs build their nests in specific areas of the forest. These spots usually have a gully or a stream with tall trees. Experts think there might be enough space on the island for about 35 to 40 bird families.
The currawong builds a cup-shaped nest using sticks and twigs. They line it with finer twigs to make it cozy. Nests are usually found in the outer branches of a tree. The female bird lays about three light brown eggs, which have darker spots. The eggs hatch after about 21 days. The young birds stay in the nest for around 30 days before they are ready to fly.
What Does It Sound Like?
The Lord Howe currawong has a very clear and loud call. It's also quite musical!
Status and Conservation
In the year 2000, scientists estimated there were only about 80 adult breeding currawongs. This bird is listed as Vulnerable under Australia's EPBC Act. This means it's a species that needs protection.
It's vulnerable because its population is small and lives in a limited area. Sometimes, people have also bothered these birds because of their habit of eating other small birds.
