3. Magpie Breeding Causes Bird Substitution: Dallas the Dog Meets the Courageous Currawong Family Guest:Jeremy Zakis Dallas the dog was "absolutely dumbfounded" before dawn when he found a family of currawongs on the back lawn instead of his usual magpie

The John Batchelor Show

3. Magpie Breeding Causes Bird Substitution: Dallas the Dog Meets the Courageous Currawong Family Guest:Jeremy Zakis
Dallas the dog was "absolutely dumbfounded" before dawn when he found a family of currawongs on the back lawn instead of his usual magpies. Currawongs are similar in size to magpies but resemble crows, retaining some white feathers. They appear to be substituting for the magpies, who are now dedicating more time to their nests during breeding season. Dallas eventually became accepting of the currawongs. These substitute birds are courageous, sometimes standing at the kitchen window looking in at eye level. Furthermore, the destructive cockatoos ("cockies"), known for stripping pine trees and dropping debris like half-eaten pine cones and sticks, are also staying away during their own breeding cycle, offering a "nice little reprieve."