BLACK FACED CUCKOO SHRIKE

Description: Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes have a black face and throat, blue-grey back, wings and tail, and white underparts. They are slender, attractive birds. They have a curious habit of shuffling their wings upon landing, a practice that gave rise to the name "Shufflewing", which is often used for this species. Wing shuffling is also carried out by most other species in this family.

The call most often heard is a soft churring, often being described as a warbling "creearck".

Young birds resemble the adults, except the black facial mask is reduced to an eye stripe. These birds may be confused with the White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina papuenis , which also has a black eye stripe. This species is much smaller however, being only 26 – 28 cm in length compared to 32 – 34 cm for the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.

BLACK-FACED CUCKOO SHRIKE

Description :
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes have a black face and throat, blue-grey back, wings and tail, and white underparts. They are slender, attractive birds. They have a curious habit of shuffling their wings upon landing, a practice that gave rise to the name "Shufflewing", which is often used for this species. Wing shuffling is also carried out by most other species in this family.

The call most often heard is a soft churring, often being described as a warbling "creearck".

Young birds resemble the adults, except the black facial mask is reduced to an eye stripe. These birds may be confused with the White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina papuenis , which also has a black eye stripe. This species is much smaller however, being only 26 – 28 cm in length compared to 32 – 34 cm for the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.

Distribution and Habitat: The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike is widespread and common. It is found in almost any wooded habitat, with the exception of rainforests. It is also familiar in many suburbs, where birds are often seen perched on overhead wires or television aerials.

Outside the breeding season, large family groups and flocks of up to a hundred birds form. These groups may be partially nomadic or may stay in the same area. Some birds also migrate northwards.

Food and feeding: Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes feed on insects and other invertebrates. These may be caught in the air, taken from foliage or caught on the ground. In addition to insects, some fruits and seeds are also eaten.

Breeding: The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike breeds mainly from August to February each year (this may vary in more arid areas). The nest is remarkably small for the size of the bird. It is a shallow saucer of sticks and bark, bound together with cobwebs. Both partners construct the nest and care for the young birds, which leave the nest after about three weeks of hatching.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes may re-pair with the same partner each year, and may use the same territories year after year.

The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike is widespread and common. It is found in almost any wooded habitat, with the exception of rainforests. It is also familiar in many suburbs, where birds are often seen perched on overhead wires or television aerials.

Outside the breeding season, large family groups and flocks of up to a hundred birds form. These groups may be partially nomadic or may stay in the same area. Some birds also migrate northwards.

Food and feeding: Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes feed on insects and other invertebrates. These may be caught in the air, taken from foliage or caught on the ground. In addition to insects, some fruits and seeds are also eaten.

Breeding: The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike breeds mainly from August to February each year (this may vary in more arid areas). The nest is remarkably small for the size of the bird. It is a shallow saucer of sticks and bark, bound together with cobwebs. Both partners construct the nest and care for the young birds, which leave the nest after about three weeks of hatching.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes may re-pair with the same partner each year, and may use the same territories year after year.

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