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Seed Pellet Regurgitation by the Endemic Black Currawongs of Tasmania

on 22nd March 2017

“Birds are known to regurgitate food for a number of reasons. Some regurgitate food to feed their young, others regurgitate undigested matter as pellets. While we are familiar with pellet regurgitation, this is more often known and observed in raptors, owls, kingfishers, shorebirds, gulls/terns, shrikes and crows. We are also more aware of pellet regurgitation involving undigested animal matter like fur, bones, feathers, teeth, etc. We are less aware of pellet regurgitation of seeds (Gill 2006) and this may be under-observed and under-valued.

“I was away in Tasmania for a 2 week break, as well as to enjoy birds and nature. I observed one species regurgitate seed pellets and went on to learn that this is a common behaviour for this group of birds. There are 3 species of Currawongs in Australia, a large black and white bird that is distantly related to the crows but ‘belonging to an Afro-Asian radiation of birds of superfamily Malaconotoidea’ (Wikipedia 2017). Of the three species, two occur in Tasmania, the Grey Currawong (Strepera versicolor) and the Black Currawong (Strepera fuliginosa); the latter is one of 12 Tasmanian endemic birds (Simpson & Day 2010; Pizzey & Knight. 2016).

Plate 1-Black Currawong-Strepera fuliginosa-adult-Mount Field, Tasmania-23rd February 2017 (1)

“I had an opportunity to see the Black Currawong often (above). This bird has a large diet range that includes small vertebrates (birds, rodents, lizards), insects and fruit. It often is found in mountainous regions feeding on the fruit of alpine shrubs and trees. One particular fruit that it eats, and is abundantly found, is the Mountain pinkberry (Leptecophylla juniperina) (below).

Plate 2-Mountain pinkberry-Leptecophylla juniperina-Mount Field, Tasmania-23rd February 2017 (1)

“On one occasion I observed it regurgitate a pellet of seeds (below). I saw the activity but only managed to document the tail end on camera. The pellet was dropped onto the branch of a tree (not within reach); …

Plate 3-Black Currawong-Strepera fuliginosa-adult-Mount Field, Tasmania-23rd February 2017 (1)

“…it was pink and comprised many seeds (below). I learned from our knowledgeable guide, Dr Andrew Hingston, that these birds often consume many fruits and keep the seeds in the crop or gizzard and regurgitate them as a pellet.

Plate 4-Black Currawong-Seed Pellet Regurgitation-Mount Field, Tasmania-23rd February 2017 (1)

“The image below shows a juvenile bird taking fruit.

Plate 5-Black Currawong-Strepera fuliginosa-juvenile-Cradle Mountain, Tasmania-26th February 2017 (1)

“This makes these birds important seed dispersers in forest areas. As Knowler 2016 states ‘The currawong … has an important relationship with the mountain environment, being responsible for the spread of seeds of alpine shrubs and trees. Among these are the mountain pink berry. The currawongs strip the shrubs of berries and then regurgitate the berry seeds, after devouring the flesh of the fruit.

“It is possible that some Malaysian birds are also important seed dispersers via regurgitation and keen observations may uncover this.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
March 2017
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

References:
1.
Frank B. Gill. Ornithology. 3rd Edition. 2006
2. Wikipedia. Currawong. 2017 LINK.
3. Pizzey & Knight. The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Digital Edition 2016
4. Simpson & Day. Birds of Australia, 8th Edition. 2010
5. Don Knowler. Currawongs warn of winter. 11th June 2016 LINK.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

6 Responses

  1. I have an eastern currawong who drinks from my water dish and regurgitates the palm tree seeds into the dish after drinking.

  2. Lots of currawongs and lots of very purple pellets – being dropped into cattle troughs. Took me a while to work out what the pellets were and why my cattle are drinking ink blue water – huge relief to know it’s organic :))

  3. I sometimes help them out with a free feed. On one occasion the currawong dropped a large pellet ball, of fitgtree fruit seeds. Interspersed with tiny bits of raw flesh. It was
    Elliptical looking like a fruity mini rugby ball. Could they be pecking trainers. Along the lines of a pinatia. It’s dried out,,,given to the chick as a training aid. More picking…More food is given . It dropped it next to my arm on a sandstonebalcony top. Close up images are available.

  4. Currawongs are eating ivy seeds from the neighbours and regurgitate them in my bird bath and over our deck leaving the water pink , pink/purple pellets on the balcony – at first I thought was fox scat until I watched the currawong regurgitate/ vomit out the pellet . They also eat my bees, often dart in front of the hives.
    Upwey, Victoria

  5. A Currawong has moved into our neighbourhood recently. I heard it’s call during late autumn and winter, and recognised it from when I’ve stayed with family in Canberra. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed black berries on top of the fence above the birdbath, and also in the birdbath. I was blaming a possum until I witnessed the Currawong drinking and bathing in the birdbath, and then spitting the seeds into the water, then flying up to the top of the fence rail to deposit more up there.
    I bought a fish net to scoop the seeds out of the bird bath, and then left it empty to give it a good clean, but replaced it with a shallow bowl of water. When I went out this morning, our Currawong friend has deposited the seeds into the empty birdbath and to my delight, our resident Eastern Blue Tongue was having a drink from the shallow bowl. 😊

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