Magpie-lark

The magpie-lark, often referred to as the peewee, peewit, or mudlark, is a fascinating bird native to Australia, Timor, and southern New Guinea. These birds are easily identifiable by their striking black-and-white plumage, although the patterns differ slightly between males and females. Initially, scientists classified them as part of the mudnest builder family (Corcoracidae), but they were later reassigned to the Monarchidae family. There are two primary subspecies of this bird.

The magpie-lark was first described by John Latham in 1801, who named it Corvus cyanoleucus. These medium-sized birds are predominantly insectivorous. They are quite common across Australia and can be seen in both urban and rural settings, demonstrating a remarkable ability to coexist with humans. One of the standout traits of the magpie-lark is its strong territorial behavior, often defending its space even against larger birds.

In terms of family life, magpie-larks usually form lifelong breeding pairs that work together to guard their territory. They build round nests from grass, mud, and feathers. Breeding can occur multiple times a year, with both parents sharing responsibilities. The eggs take about 18 days to hatch, and the chicks leave the nest around three weeks later. An interesting behavior of these birds is their duet singing, where pairs vocalize in harmony to mark their territory.