Magpie – Lark
Family: Monarchidae
Scientific names: Grallina cyanoleuca
Other names: Pee-wee, Mudlark, Murray magpie
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Conservation Status
- Australia: Secure
- NT: Least Concern
Description
The Magpie-Lark or Pee-Wee is widespread across Australia. It is a magpie like small bird (26-30cm) with a mellow, liquid, yet clear voice and pairs together give a closely synchronised duet with each call accompanied by a lifting of the wings. The male is identified by a white tail with a wide black band and a horizontal black line through the eye whereas the female has a white brow and throat and a black band vertical through eye.
Distribution
The Magpie-Larks habitat is very diverse and can range from coastal to semi-desert. They prefer anywhere with trees and water and also need open areas of bare soft ground for foraging such as the margins of lakes, rivers swamps, dams or flood waters. They are a common site throughout Australia (except in Tasmania) and adapt easily to areas that are inhabited by humans.
Ecology
As they are a mostly ground dwelling bird, they search on the ground for a variety of insects and their larvae as well as earthworms and freshwater invertebrates.
Both parents share the incubation duties and care for three to five young and if conditions are favourable, more than one brood may be reared in a year. During the breeding season both the male and female gather wet mud and construct a bowl-shaped nest which is lined with feathers and grasses on a horizontal branch, or similar site, often up to 20m above the ground. The male and female birds often sit side by side whilst on the nest and call alternately, each raising and lowering their wings as they do so.
Common problems and solutions
Problem
- Attacking reflections in windows, particularly in the breeding season but can occur at any time. Some birds become obsessed by the other bird in the window as they believe that it is a threat to their territory.
- They may remove soft putty from around panes for their nests.
Solution
- Prevent birds from getting access to windows by hanging netting, baskets or plants.
- Install anti-glare screens.
- Apply stencils to windows to deter reflection.
- Hang a mirror nearby so the bird attacks that.
Problem
- Swooping. This occurs during the breeding season and is common in newly established suburbs. Harassment of the parents and removal of the nests may intensify the behaviour and prolong the breeding season which usually includes an incubation period of 20 days with a further 28 day nestling period. Swooping usually stops once the chicks have fledged and birds may defend an area of up to 100metres.
Solution
- Avoid the area
- Wear a hat or headgear
- Carry a stick or umbrella (not needed to wave about until an attack occurs)
- Flag on the back of a bicycle
- Most birds only swoop individuals so try to travel in a group.
- Magpies appear to be dissuaded from swooping when they are being watched, so try wearing a hat with ‘eyes’ painted on the back of it. Sunglasses worn backwards have a similar effect.
- Although these birds have been known to physically strike people and animals when swooping, most swooping behaviour is a form of bluffing so do not panic and run. It will only encourage a swooping bird to continue its attack.
- Put up warning signs for others who may not be aware that there are swooping birds in the area.
Note
Magpie-Lark is a protected species in the Northern Territory. For this reason, it is important that members of the public do not interfere with these animals without an appropriate permit.