Australian Mudnesters (Struthideidae)
White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanoramphos) - HBW 14, p. 284
French: Corbicrave leucoptère
German: Drosselkrähe
Spanish: Corvino Negro
Other common names: Apostle-bird(!), Black Jay/Magpie
Taxonomy: Coracia melanoramphos Vieillot, 1817, New South Wales, Australia.
Family treatment much disputed over the years, and present species has variously been placed in Corvidae, Grallinidae or a monospecific Corcoracidae; close relationship with Struthidea generally agreed. Geographical variation minimal, and species formerly treated as monotypic. Races intergrade in SE South Australia (in and just E of Mt Lofty Ranges). Proposed race subniger (from Ringwood, in Victoria) synonymized with nominate. Species name often misspelt "melanorhamphos". Two subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- melanoramphos ( Vieillot, 1817) - E Australia from E half of Queensland (S from region of Clarke Range) S to New South Wales (except NW), Victoria (mainly N of Great Dividing Range) and SE South Australia (Mt Lofty Ranges).
- whiteae Mathews, 1912 - S & SE South Australia (Eyre Peninsula and Mt Lofty Ranges).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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Adult foraging. Locality Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Stephen Wallace 7 February 2011 1 year ago 27 sec 4.6 -
Preening - other choughs can be heard calling quietly in the background. Locality Campbell Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Stephen Wallace 4 June 2011 51 weeks ago 17 sec 4.5 -
An adult on a nest Locality Campbell Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp melanoramphos)
Nick Talbot 3 November 2005 2 years ago 21 sec 4.3 -
A bird walking and catching insects on the ground. Locality Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia (ssp melanoramphos)
Josep del Hoyo 28 October 2009 1 year ago 17 sec 4 -
A bird collecting nest material from the ground Locality Telopea Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Nick Talbot 2 November 2004 6 years ago 20 sec 4 -
Bird feeding Locality Commonwealth Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (ssp melanoramphos)
Anthony Laven 11 March 1994 1 year ago 30 sec 3.7
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Adult white-winged chough with caterpillar.
Locality Callum Brae, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Margaret Leggoe 15 October 2008 1 year ago 4 -
An adult bird perching on a branch.
Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp melanoramphos)
Nick Talbot 20 January 2012 13 weeks ago 3.9 -
Close-up of a bird on the ground.
Locality Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia
Ken Havard 22 October 2008 1 year ago 3.7 -
One of a family group foraging around the park
Locality Lyndoch, South Australia, Australia
Lindsay Hansch 14 May 2008 1 year ago 3.5 -
A juvenile perching in a tree.
Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (ssp melanoramphos)
Nick Talbot 20 January 2012 13 weeks ago 3.3 -
Two birds on a branch
Locality Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Aleix Comas 10 February 2002 2 years ago 2.8
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A group of birds squabbling over food, gradually becoming more excited. Locality Waikerie, South Australia, Australia
(ssp melanoramphos)
Peter Waanders 30 October 2008 2 years ago 4.5 -
A group of birds calling to each other. Locality Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
(ssp melanoramphos)
Nick Talbot 19 January 2012 11 weeks ago 2
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