Grallina cyanoleuca

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Family

Dicruridae

Genus

Gralina

Species

cyanoleuca

Common Names

Magpie Lark, Pee Wee, Peewee, Little Magpie, Murray Magpie, Peewit, Mudlark

Distinguishing Features

The Magpie-lark is a 26-30cm sized bird with distinctive black and white markings over its body. The adult male Magpie -lark has a white eyebrow and black face, while the female has an all-white face with no white eyebrow. The species has a thin white bill and pale coloured eyes.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A 'pee-o-wit' or 'pee-wee' call is frequently given as a duet.

Similar Species

The Magpie-lark has similar bold black and white markings to the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen ), however the lark is significantly smaller and has a very different call.

Distribution

The species is found commonly right across the Australian mainland and into southern Guinea and Timor.

Country of Origin

Australia.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

The ACT population has been growing fairly steadily over the past 20 years (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

The Magpie -lark was found across the catchment, with preference for the city and suburban areas.

Associated vegetation community

Magpie-larks are found in almost any Australian habitat except rainforests and extremely dry deserts. They are commonly urban birds, as they prefer open environments that have been cleared and provide permenant water sources.

Limiting Resources

This species required open landscapes with scattered trees and surface water for building mud nests.

Breeding

Nesting beings in September and runs through until December. The job of building their unique mud nests is shared between the male and female, who sit side by side and call alternately, each raising and lowering their wings as they do so. The full breeding cycle can take up to 17 weeks, however some pairs will squeeze two broods into the one summer. The 3-5 pink-white eggs are marked with red and purple-brown blotches. Both parents share incubation for 17-18 days. The young birds are ready to fly after 18-23 days in the nest.

Behaviour

Magpie-larks are commonly seen in pairs, although in autumn they can often be seen is large flock around the suburbs. They pick at soft, moist ground for insects and earthworms. During the breeding season, both males and females perch side by side and call loudly in a duet, heads up and tails fanned. They are very territorial birds and males can be aggressive, sometimes seen attacking their own reflections in car mirrors and building windows. When nesting, people may also be attacked.

Functional Group

Insectivore

Food Species

The Magpie -lark is mostly ground dwelling, and is usually seen slowly searching on the ground for a variety of insects and their larvae, as well as earthworms and freshwater invertebrates.

Predators

Young birds in their first year of life are especially prone to attacks from feral or domestic Cats (Felis catus).

Interesting Fact

Magpie-lark breeding partners preform a duet, one calling musically and the other talking a percussion role, each raising their wings and bowing to their song.