MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF PIED CURRAWONGS Strepera graculina IN CENTRAL EASTERN NEW SOUTH WALES
| Posted: |
08/08/2021 |
| Author(s): |
J. R. Farrell |
During 1988 and 1989 a total of 254 Pied Currawongs was trapped and colour-banded at
Springwood, New South Wales. The data resulting from this study show a build up of Pied Currawong
numbers at Springwood from January to a peak in April. Numbers then declined with only isolated
breeding pairs present from September to December. The arrival of immature birds peaked two months
before the peak in adult numbers. Immature birds were far more mobile than adult birds and accounted
for a greater percentage of movements within the Blue Mountains region. More than half of the
immature birds disappeared from the study site after being banded while the adult birds stayed at the
banding site, on average, nearly twice as long as the immature birds (1.5 months compared with
0.9/0.8 months). During 1989, 56 per cent of all the Pied Currawongs banded in the previous year
returned to the banding site. Of these, 27 per cent were immature birds. Recoveries document a
general easterly movement to lower altitudes during most months of the year. Westerly movements
only commenced in July with banded birds not reaching Blackheath until September. Movement of a
small number of birds was recorded to the north of the study site during August and September. Only
immature birds were recorded moving away from the Blue Mountains region with recoveries highlighting
a north-easterly path through Blacktown, West Pennant Hills, Mooney Mooney, the central
coast and on to Newcastle and Thornton. A small number also moved in a south/south-east direction.
Please see Errata in Volume 19: Issue 4
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