Coracina novaehollandiae

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Family

Campephagidae

Genus

Coracina

 

Species

novaehollandiae

Common Names

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Blue Jay, Shufflewing

Distinguishing Features

This fairly large bird of 30-36 cm has a unique shape due to its up-shuffled wing. It has a distinctive black face, throat, beak and eye, with black feather tips on the wing. Their back, wings and tail are blue-grey, while their underparts are white. Juvenile birds have much less black colouring and are a more faded grey colour.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A loud, harsh, yet musical decent of 'churrieer'.

Similar Species

The White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina papuensis) is slightly smaller with similar coloured body and wings, but has a much smaller eye patch of black. It is not common in the ACT.

Distribution

This species is found right across Australia, including TAS.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Numbers in the Canberra region drop slightly over winter as the bird migrates a small distance. Overall, the population is fairly stable with a slight decline.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

Some birds were found at BMP and NMA and a few at ANU, BMt, ANBG and CSIRO.

Associated vegetation community

As this species is found across the entire continent, it survives in most environments with trees, including thick woodland, forests and suburban backyards.

Limiting Resources

This species inhabits areas with thick tree stands and with a shrub or ground layer of vegetation. Areas free from predation by Cats (Felis catus) are more favourable for successful breeding.

Breeding

In the Canberra region, most nesting activities occur from mid-November to early January. Nests can be constructed at a range of heights, on an exposed tree branch. Their nests seem extremely small for the size of the bird, made up of sticks and bark bound with a spider web. Two creamy-brown eggs with brown spots are laid. The young are dependant for about 21 days and they can be seen from December to mid-April. Both parents share responsibilities.

 

Behaviour

The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike is known to choose the same mating partner every year and may use the same territory. They restlessly lift their folded wings upon landing on high, exposed perches of dead tree braches or powerlines. These are vantage points before swooping down to take insects and other prey.

 

Functional Group

Insectivore

 

Food Species

The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike eats insects and other invertebrates by foraging on the ground, on leaves and trunks or by catching them in the air. Some fruits or seeds can also be eaten.

Predators

European Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes), Dogs (Canis familiaris) and Cats (Felis catus) may attack this bird white foraging on the ground, however its larger size makes it stronger and less prone to predation than smaller birds.

Interesting Fact

The name Black-faced Cuckoo Strike comes from the fact that the pattern on their feathers are similar those of cuckoos and their bill shape is the same as a shrike's.