The black and white bird found in the Northern Territory that most people are referring to is likely the magpie-lark, also known as the mudlark or peewee. This medium-sized bird has distinctive black, white and grey plumage and is commonly seen across much of Australia.
Quick Facts About the Magpie-Lark
– Scientific name: Grallina cyanoleuca
– Other common names: Pee-wit, peewee, mudlark
– Size: 19-23 cm long
– Identifying features: Black head, back and tail, white underparts, black and white barring on wings. Long black bill and red eyes.
– Habitat: Open woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, urban parks and gardens.
– Diet: Insects, worms, spiders and small crustaceans.
– Behavior: Gregarious, often seen in pairs or family groups. Known for fanning tail while walking.
Detailed Description
The magpie-lark is amedium sized bird measuring 19-23cm in length and weighing around 60 grams. It has distinctive black and white plumage with some grey on the wings and tail. The head, neck, upper back and tail are all black, while the underparts including the belly and undertail are white. The wings are patterned with black and white barring. The long black bill is pointed and slightly curved, adapted for catching insects and other prey on the ground. The legs are long and reddish-pink in color. The eyes are red.
Both the male and female have the same plumage coloration. Juveniles are duller and browner in color compared to adults, with less contrast between the black and white areas.
Magpie-larks are gregarious birds, usually encountered in pairs or small family groups of up to five birds. They have a distinctive upright posture and spend a lot of time walking on the ground while foraging. As they walk, they have a habit of fanning their long tail open and waving it slowly up and down. This behavior has earned them the name pee-wit or peewee in some regions.
Distribution and Habitat
The magpie-lark has a widespread distribution across Australia, including Tasmania. It occupies a broad range of habitats, both natural and man-made. They are commonly seen in open eucalypt woodlands, Acacia scrublands, grasslands, farmlands, wetlands, estuaries and even urban parks and gardens.
They have adapted well to live in close proximity with humans. They are a resident bird in many towns and cities across Australia. Their ability to utilize artificial and man-made water sources allow them to thrive even in dry environments.
In the Northern Territory, the magpie-lark can be found across the entire region in suitable habitat. They are a familiar sight in the Top End around Darwin and other northern cities, as well as in central Australia around Alice Springs and Uluru.
Region | Habitats |
---|---|
Top End | Mangroves, wetlands, floodplains, open woodlands |
Kakadu and Arnhem Land | Floodplains, paperbark forests, monsoon forests |
Katherine Region | Riverine environments, gorge country, open eucalypt woodlands |
Alice Springs Region | Rivers and creeks, mulga woodland, grasslands |
Uluru and Red Centre | Rocky gullies, mulga scrublands, ephemeral creeks |
Behavior and Diet
Magpie-larks are active and agile foragers, using their long pointed bills to probe into soil, leaf litter and shallow water in search of prey. They feed on a variety of insects and other invertebrates such as beetles, flies, ants, caterpillars, worms, spiders and freshwater crustaceans.
They are opportunistic and will occasionally eat seeds, fruit and small frogs. In urban areas they adapt to scavenging scraps. Magpie-larks are known to store food items by wedging them into crevices in trees.
They are territorial and remain in the same territory year-round. Both the male and female participate in defending their territory from intruders with threat displays and vocalizations. Their loud and repetitive territorial call is a distinctive “pee-wit” sound.
Magpie-larks often perch prominently at the tops of trees, poles and other elevated sites where they watch for prey and keep guard over their territory. They are a sedentary species and spend most of their time within their territory. Short distance dispersal may occur by juvenile birds when establishing new territories.
Breeding
Magpie-larks form monogamous pair bonds that are maintained for life. The breeding season usually corresponds with rainfall and food availability. In northern Australia breeding may occur in the wet season from September to March. Further south breeding occurs from August to December.
Both sexes participate in building the nest which is a sturdy deep cup of mud and grass bound with spider webs. Nest sites include tree branches, stumps, poles, buildings and other man-made structures. 2-4 eggs are laid and incubated by both parents for 16-18 days. The chicks are born naked and helpless but are fed and cared for by both parents. They fledge after 18-20 days.
Conservation Status
The magpie-lark has an extensive range across Australia and is evaluated as being of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are generally common to abundant throughout their range. Population trends appear to be stable so there are no major threats. As an adaptable species that lives successfully near humans, they are in no danger of extinction barring unforeseen events.
Conclusion
The magpie-lark is a uniquely Australian bird with its distinctive black and white plumage and habit of fanning its tail. As a common and widespread species found across diverse habitats, it is a quintessential part of the Australian landscape, especially in the Northern Territory. This charismatic bird has adapted successfully to human environments and can be considered as both an iconic native Australian bird as well as an everyday backyard bird.