BirdUp · Species
Magpie-lark
Grallina cyanoleuca(Latham, 1801)
Updated
Also known asDil-bat
- Order
- PASSERIFORMES
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Grallina
At a glance
The Magpie-lark is a medium-sized bird, about 24–30 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 24–30 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Origin
- Native
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Very common
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does a Magpie-lark look like?
The Magpie-lark is a medium-sized bird, about 24–30 cm long and weighing 57–118 g, identified by its broad black chest band; male: Black face, prominent white eyebrow; female: All-white throat and face; and slender, pointed, off-white bill.
The magpie-lark, also known as wee magpie, peewee, peewit, mudlark or Murray magpie, is a passerine bird native to Australia, Timor, and southern New Guinea. The male and female both have black and white plumage, though with different patterns. John Latham described the species in 1801. Long thought to be a member of the mudnest builder family Corcoracidae, it has been reclassified in the family Monarchidae. Two subspecies are recognized.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 01
Broad black chest band
A distinct black 'bib' creating a sharp division between the black upperparts and white belly. Present in both sexes.
- 02
Male: Black face, prominent white eyebrow
A broad white supercilium stands out prominently against the entirely black crown, face, and throat.
- 03
Female: All-white throat and face
Extensive white on the forehead, supercilium, lores, cheeks, and throat, contrasting sharply with the black crown.
- 04
Slender, pointed, off-white bill
Noticeably pale against the black and white plumage, the bill is relatively slender and straight.
03 · When
When to look
When can you see a Magpie-lark?
The Magpie-lark is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
04 · Voice
What it sounds like
Call
insiderelic · Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Call
insiderelic · Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Call
Thomas Mesaglio · Stirling Range NP, Western Australia
Call
James Ray · Shoalhaven - Pt B, AU-NS, AU
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does a Magpie-lark eat?
The Magpie-lark feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, intertidal invertebrates and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
6 photos
The BirdUp app
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