Black-Faced Cuckooshrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) lives in open woodland across Australia and New Guinea. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Black-Faced Cuckooshrike
- In Australian cities the black-faced cuckooshrike often perches on power lines, making it a familiar sight in places like Sydney and Perth. It thrives in almost any wooded habitat across its range, from coastal forests to inland scrub, yet it avoids true rainforests. The species also adapts to urban environments, where it can be seen foraging in parks and gardens. Its presence on wires highlights its flexibility in both natural and built landscapes.
- Among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara, the black-faced cuckooshrike is known as julgira. Traditional practices involve capturing the bird, clipping its wings and keeping it as a pet, linking the species to Indigenous cultural life. This custom occurs in the central western part of Australia where the bird's range overlaps the Pilbara region. The name and practice illustrate a long-standing human-bird relationship in that area.
- In New South Wales the black-faced cuckooshrike enjoys legal protection under the National Parks and Wildlife Act of 1974. The legislation safeguards its populations within the state.
- The black-faced cuckooshrike is a slow-moving, inconspicuous bird, yet its voice cuts through the woodland silence. Its call is a high-pitched, screaming sound that birdwatchers describe as "creearck". This shrill, unmistakable note makes the bird easy to locate even when its grey plumage blends with the foliage. The distinctive call is a reliable field identifier throughout its range.
- During the breeding season, which runs chiefly from August to February, pairs tend to keep to small territories and raise fledglings that leave the nest after about three weeks. Once the season ends, the birds abandon these territories and gather in noisy flocks that can number up to a hundred individuals. These large groups are a seasonal hallmark, and some members may become partially migratory while others stay put.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeAustralia and New Guinea
HabitatOpen woodland
DietInsects and fruit
About the Black-Faced Cuckooshrike
In the sun-dappled woodlands of Australia, the Black-Faced Cuckooshrike reigns as a master of stealth and agility, its sleek grey plumage and striking black mask allowing it to slip unseen through the trees as it pursues its insect prey. With a flick of its tail and a dart of its wings, this avian hunter navigates the intricate network of branches with effortless ease, its sharp eyes scanning the foliage for the slightest hint of movement. As it moves through its domain, the Black-Faced Cuckooshrike embodies a quiet confidence, its very presence a testament to the beauty and resilience of the natural world.
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