They roost communally, usually nocturnally.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
At a glance
FamilyWoodswallows, Bellmagpies, and Allies
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatUsually in small flocks, in open woodland areas.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from September to January.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
115566approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Dark brownish-gray plumage overall, with white outer primaries distinctive in flight and at rest. Tail black with white tip broken by black at the center. Pale underwings contrast strongly with dark belly in flight.
Behavior
Usually in small flocks, in open woodland areas.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
South Australia
Western Australia
Victoria
Queensland
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Gray CurrawongStrepera versicolorBlack Currawong has thicker bill and dark undertail. Loud ringing, clinking song, reminiscent of some lyrebird sounds.→Pied CurrawongStrepera graculinaIn flight, white rump (most subspecies), undertail, tail tip, and primary bases distinctive. Gray Currawong lacks white rump and has narrow pale trailing edge to wing. Smaller Australian Magpie extensively white in upperparts.→Black CurrawongStrepera fuliginosaIn flight, white tail tip and primary tips sometimes difficult to see. Gray Currawong can be similar but has white undertail. Song a distinctive throaty, fluting “kar-week, week-kar,” or similar.→