Magpie-larks, or peewees as they are affectionately known, are one of Australia’s
most successful birds. They are found throughout the mainland, except for the most
arid parts of the interior, as well as Papua New Guinea and Timor. They have been
introduced to Lord Howe Island and are quite well established there.
On family holidays throughout Queensland I’ve noticed that magpie-larks are one of
the few birds I see virtually no matter what bioregion or habitat I’m in. There are a
number of reasons for this. They have benefited greatly from the spread of
agriculture and clearing for urbanisation. They favour open spaces to forage in and
will eat a wide variety of invertebrates. This also suits their highly aggressive nature
– because a bird foraging in open spaces is highly vulnerable to attack – but magpie-
larks aggressively defend themselves and their territory and will fend off magpies,
kookaburras and even wedge-tailed eagles. Their aggressive temperament leads
naturally to a very low flight initiation index – which means you can approach these
birds very closely before they will fly away. For this reason it is quite common to have
them fossicking amongst your feet whilst you sit at a park bench. Their aggressive
nature is so strong they are often seen fighting their reflection in car mirrors or
windows.
Magpie-larks are well known for building mud nests, another habit which has been
assisted by the spread of agriculture and urbanisation, as there is now an abundant
supply of top soil and water readily available for them. Up to five eggs are laid and
are incubated by both the male and female.
The two sexes are easily distinguishable by the white eyebrow ridge on the male, but not the female – and the white face mask on the female, but not the male.
This article first appeared in the High Country Herald on the 20th of August 2024