Colours
Distinguishing features
It is a large, black bird with striking red eyes and a slightly down-curved beak. The red eyes become swollen and brighter in colour when the bird is excited.
In flight the large white patches in the wings are immediately obvious, and explain the descriptive part of their common name. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 45 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Behaviour
Flight is a mixture of a slow, deep flapping and short glides: unlike their European namesakes, White-winged Choughs are not particularly strong or agile fliers and spend the great majority of their time on the ground, foraging methodically through leaf litter for worms, insects, grain, and snails in a loose group, walking with a distinctive swagger, and calling softly to one another every few seconds. A rich find is the cause of general excitement and all come running in to share in it. The family group walks several kilometers each day through its large territory, foraging as it goes, taking to the air only if disturbed.
Choughs are territorial and highly social, living in flocks of from about 4 up to about 20 birds, usually all the offspring of a single pair. Because raising of young is a group effort bands of chough may kidnap fledglings from other family groups so that they will be able to help them to raise their chicks next year. (Wikipedia)
Diet
They forage in litter and rotten wood for termites and beetles. (Wikipedia)
