Call comparison

Australian Magpie vs Pied Currawong call

The Australian Magpie and the Pied Currawong both belong to the butcherbird family, so their calls can sound alike. Play the two recordings one after the other and listen for the differences in the descriptions below.

In Birds of New South Wales, the Australian Magpie comes in Level 1 and the Pied Currawong in Level 3.

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Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

Fluty, warbling phrases; often daytime chorus.

A field recording of the Australian Magpie by Donald Davesne, shared on iNaturalist.

More about the Australian Magpie call

Pied Currawong Strepera graculina

Ringing, far-carrying 'currawong' calls.

A field recording of the Pied Currawong by Donald Davesne, shared on iNaturalist.

More about the Pied Currawong call

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Learn both calls in SongLark

Install SongLark, sign in, and choose Birds of New South Wales as your course to learn the Australian Magpie and the Pied Currawong by ear.

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