Birds · Passeriformes · Campephagidae

Black-Faced Cuckooshrike

Coracina novaehollandiae

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The black-faced cuckooshrike — known in Spanish as oruguero australiano or ave oruguera piquinegra — is a medium-sized grey bird with a black mask around the bill and eyes. It is common in the open woodlands and parks of Australia. Its most characteristic feature is a movement it performs on landing: it resettles its wings with a couple of quick shuffles, a gesture that identifies it at a distance.

Weight

90 g – 140 g

Size

32 cm – 35 cm

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

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Fun facts

It resettles its wings with two or three quick shuffles every time it lands, a tic so characteristic that Australian birdwatchers identify it by that gesture before they do by its plumage.
Its English name, cuckooshrike, alludes to a superficial resemblance to cuckoos and shrikes, although it is related to neither group.
Its southern Australian populations are migratory and move north in winter, while the tropical ones are resident.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Open woodland, savanna woodland, parks and gardens of Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 21 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 3 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coracina_novaehollandiae