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Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) Alternate name(s): "Peewee", "Mudlark", "Murray Magpie", "Little Magpie", "Peewit", "Pugwall" Aboriginal name(s): Race "cyanoleuca": "barriindjiin" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay]; "bilbirin", "bimbim", "bulam-bulam", "bulin-bulihn" [bundjalung}; "biyilbiyil" [ngadjon]; "tjirrmp-tjirrmp"/"tjirrm-tjirrm" [tjapwurrung, eastern djadjawurrung]; "dilabot", "byoolkolyedi", "koolyibarak" (WA); "beelarl", "iyebana", "koolootaroo", "marronoo" Size: 26-30 cm Body mass: 60-100 g

Australia: Family Group 21 Family Group 21 Table White-eared Monarch Pied Monarch Frill-necked Monarch Black-faced Monarch Black-winged Monarch Spectacled Monarch Yellow-breasted Boatbill Broad-billed Flycatcher Leaden Flycatcher Satin Flycatcher Shining Flycatcher Restless Flycatcher Paperbark Flycatcher Rufous Fantail Arafura Fantail Mangrove Fantail Grey Fantail Northern Fantail Willie Wagtail Spangled Drongo Magpie-lark Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Magpie-larks are the largest of the Australian monarchs. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are slightly different. Both sexes have a black crown, nape of the neck and back. They have a broad white wing bar and white tips to flight feathers and tail feathers. Both sexes also have identical black chests and an otherwise white front (sides, belly, undertail coverts). The only visible differences are on the head and neck. Male Magpie-larks have a black throat and frons, while females have black throat and frons. Males have white eyebrows and, disconnected from those, big white patches on the sides of the neck, including the ear coverts. Females have a black and a parallel white stripe on each side of the head from the eyebrow to the shoulder. In addition, male Magpie-larks have a thin white half arc under the eyes that females don't have. Both sexes have eyes with whitish irises. The bill is light horn-coloured with some black on the top of the upper mandible, near the base and the tip. The legs and feet are dark-grey. Juvenile Magpie-larks have dark-grey irises and a dark bill.

Taxonomy, classification See Magpie-lark at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information Magpie-larks have been found to be closely related to other species of monarchs.

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Magpie-lark is available HERE . There are two races of Magpie-larks in Australia, both of which are endemic. They can be found over large parts of the continent, including much of the interior. Nominate race "cyanoleuca" is found almost everywhere to the South of a line connecting Port Douglas, QLD, with Mt. Isa, QLD, and on to Eighty Mile Beach, WA, with the following exceptions: They are not found in the Simpson Desert North of Lake Eyre, not in the Nullarbor, the Great Victoria Desert, the Gibson Desert and the Great Sandy Desert. Outside the breeding season they do cross the Bass Strait to the small islands there and to the North coast of Tasmania. Race "neglecta" is found anywhere to the North of the line mentioned above, except the area around Tennant Creek, NT. Magpie-larks are often found in open grassland with scattered trees, also farmland with scattered trees. They adapt to the presence of humans very well and can often be found in urban parks and gardens and around farms. Where to look? How to find this species? Magpie-larks are not afraid of the presence of humans at all. They can be found in many gardens and urban parks, where they usually can be seen hunting for insects on lawns. During the breeding season they often make a nuisance of themselves, fighting "the enemy" in mirrors and window panes around houses or cars (often to the point that they leave behind blood spatters).

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "cyanoleuca" Magpie-larks (commonly known as "Peewees") can be seen almost everywhere in Australia, including the area of Narrabri, NSW. In inland NSW race "cyanoleuca" is found. They are also found by us, and reported to us, regularly in many locations along the Australian East coast. Magpie-larks, race "cyanoleuca", were also seen by us also on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008. Unlike Australian Magpies, Magpie-larks were found in remote locations only near the scattered human settlements, but not out in remote bushland in the Flinders or Gammon Ranges or the nearby plains and saltpans. M. Eaton reports spotting Magpie-larks, race "cyanoleuca", at Torquay, VIC, in April 2022. Magpie-larks, race "cyanoleuca", are also common along the Australian West coast and in the interior of WA, as reported by J. Greaves and C. Pears. Race "neglecta" We first recorded Magpie-larks, race "neglecta", in various locations in and around Darwin, NT, in August 2014. They are found in abundance in the same area by various contributors. J. Greaves reports spotting Magpie-larks, race "neglecta", in Broome, WA, in April 2015 and at the Granites Gold Mine, inland NT, in June 2015. P. Brown reports finding Magpie-larks, race "neglecta", regularly in many different locations of the Top End of the NT and in north-eastern WA, e.g. at Lake Argyle, near Kununurra, in April 2018. M. Mearns found Magpie-larks, race "neglecta", at Leichhardt Falls, QLD, in September 2019. C. Pears spotted Magpie-larks, race "neglecta", in Broome, WA, in July 2024. M. Eaton found the species at the same location in July 2026.

Photos

Race "cyanoleuca"

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Male Magpie-larks have a black face/head, with a white bar running down the sides of the head and neck; females have a white face/head with a black bar running down the sides.

Near-frontal/ventral view of a pair of Magpie-larks; male on the right, female on the left
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2020]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Near-lateral view of a male Magpie-lark going for a drink in hot weather
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, February 2006]

Close-up lateral view of a male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, May 2024]

Close-up lateral view of a male Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2013]

Lateral view of a male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Torquay, VIC, April 2022]

Lateral view of a preening male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[South West Rocks, NSW, July 2017]

Lateral view of a male Magpie-lark; they are one of a few species that can find a meal in a lawn
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a male Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2017]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a male Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2017]

Dorsal view of a male Magpie-lark looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Torquay, VIC, April 2022]

Male Magpie-lark trying to impress the thought on a Channel-billed Cuckoo near its nest that it would be advantageous for it to move on
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2008]

FEMALE

Close-up frontal portrait of a female Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2026]

Close-up frontal view of a female Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up near-lateral portrait of a female Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2026]

Close-up near-lateral view of a female Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Close-up lateral portrait of a female Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2026]

Close-up lateral view of a female Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, May 2024]

Lateral view of a female Magpie-lark on a lawn
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, June 2006]

Dorsal view of a female Magpie-lark
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, March 2006]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up frontal view of a juvenile Magpie-lark; note the dark-grey irises and the greyish bill
[Burren Junction, NSW, December 2015]

Close-up lateral view of a female Magpie-lark, back, with a dependent juvenile
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, November 2024]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a fledgling Magpie-lark looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2007]

Partly obscured close-up lateral view of a juvenile Magpie-lark
[Burren Junction, NSW, December 2015]

Near-dorsal view of a fledgling Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a fledgling Magpie-lark
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2007]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a fledgling Magpie-lark on its first day out of the nest, squawking along with its siblings to be fed...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2010]

... and here a close-up ventral view of dad Magpie-lark bringing food
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2010]

Race "neglecta"

ADULT

PAIR

Near-frontal/ventral view of a pair of Magpie-larks - male on the left, female on the right (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a pair of Magpie-larks (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Lateral view of a pair of Magpie-larks (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Leichhardt Falls, QLD, September 2019]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a pair of Magpie-larks marking their territory (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Frontal view of four Magpie-larks, with a clear view of the different facial patterns of adult males, centre and right, and females, top left and bottom left (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, June 2018]

MALE

Close-up lateral view of a male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Streeters Jetty, Broome, WA, July 2026]

Close-up lateral view of a male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Streeters Jetty, Broome, WA, July 2026]

Lateral view of a male Magpie-lark near its nest (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, November 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a male Magpie-lark posturing (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, April 2018]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Magpie-lark near its nest with two chicks (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Ventral view of a female Magpie-lark
[Darwin, NT, August 2014]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Full-frontal view of a juvenile male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lake Argyle, near Kununurra, WA, April 2018]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile male Magpie-lark (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Lake Argyle, near Kununurra, WA, April 2018]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Jan

Eggs: 3 - 5

Incubation period: 18 days

Fledging age: 21 days

 

Given the right conditions, Magpie-larks can breed any time of the year.

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket in mud bowl

Material: Mud, grass, feathers

Height above ground: 2 - 10 m

 

Additional information

Mud nests are sought after by several other species. We have compiled some more information on the (re-)use of mud nests.

Additional information

Magpie-larks like to take advantage of the protection offered by nesting under an Australian Magpie nest. There is now a separate page about various bird species nesting under the umbrella of a stronger, protective species.

Three Magpie-lark chicks begging to be fed (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Lateral view of a female Magpie-lark arriving at its nest, with two chicks begging for food (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2013]

Frontal view of a female Magpie-lark settling down to brood its two chicks (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2013]

Close-up near-frontal view of a female Magpie-lark in its nest
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

Close-up near-lateral view of a female Magpie-lark looking over the edge of its nest
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2025]

Close-up frontal view of a female Magpie-lark in its nest
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Close-up frontal view of a female Magpie-lark in its nest; when blinded by the camera's flash, it closed its nictitating membranes
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Near-lateral view of a female Magpie-lark entering its nest
[Moree, NSW, November 2011]

Lateral view of a female Magpie-lark sitting on its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Wetlands, Brisbane, QLD, September 2020]

Close-up view of a Magpie-lark mud nest
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2010]

Near-frontal view of a male Magpie-lark sitting on its nest (which was built in March, after a big rainfall event) in late April, with winter approaching; needless to say - this attempt failed
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2014]

Magpie-lark nest built from red soil in the interior of WA (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]

The two Magpie-lark chicks had just fledged when this visitor, an Eastern Water Dragon, came along to have a close look
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, December 2013]

We observed how a Channel-billed Cuckoo raided a Magpie-lark nest. The chicks, which were a few days away from fledging, were thrown out. One was killed in the process, the other two survived, but were left exposed on the ground. After intervention by the local animal rescue team, both these chicks in the end survived.

Close-up lateral view of a Magpie-lark chick that was then killed by a Channel-billed Cuckoo
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2021]

Close-up lateral view of one of two surviving Magpie-lark chicks near its makeshift replacement nest - this chick fledged 3 days later; its sibling did not stay, but wandered into the low-hanging branches of a nearby oleander shrub
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2021]

Close-up lateral view of one of two surviving Magpie-lark chicks in the low-hanging branches of an oleander shrub; this chick flew 4 days after the Channel-billed Cuckoo attack
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2021]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 29 x 20 mm

Colour: Pinkish-whiteish, with dark red-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

 

View from above into a Magpie-lark nest with 4 eggs in it
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

View from above into a Magpie-lark nest with 3 eggs in it (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Fragments of a Magpie-lark egg that fell to the ground with the nest it was in during a violent storm

Fragment of a Magpie-lark egg shell that had been disposed of by the nesting pair
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2012]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive

Elementary unit: Pair

Magpie-larks have been seen by us defending their nest vigorously against the intrusion of Channel-billed Cuckoos, who will host on them if given a chance.

Magpie-larks taking a bath (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Food, Diet

Adults: Insects

Dependents: As adults

Water intake: ?

Magpie-larks are insect hunters. Contrary to the technique of many other birds (e.g., flycatchers), they catch their prey by snapping at insects they disturb when strutting around on the ground.

Near-lateral view of a female Magpie-lark devouring a locust (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

This Magpie-lark means business - it was seen bashing the grasshopper to death (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, April 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a Magpie-lark taking a small flying insect from a lawn
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2023]

Magpie-lark taking flying ants (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Anstead, QLD, December 2020]

Magpie-lark checking for insects in a pad that an Eastern Grey Kangaroo has just scraped
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2019]

Magpie-lark with a seed pod that it subsequently devoured (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Ashmore, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2021]

Magpie-lark on the edge of a pool of water; it is not known whether the bird was drinking or hunting for insects
(photo courtesy of J. Ross-Taylor)
[Stanthorpe, QLD, March 2015]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

peewee_art_20131117.m4a	cyanoleuca (SE QLD)	Contact calls	© ART
peewee_20140107.mp3	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	Contact calls	© MD
peewee_20190206.m4a	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	Contact calls	© MD
peewee_20190206_2.m4a	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	Contact calls (pair Q&A)	© MD
peewee_art_20131203.m4a	cyanoleuca (SE QLD)	Pair Q&A (in-flight)	© ART
peewee_20140224.mp3	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	Warning call	© MD
peewee_20140330.mp3	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	Warning call (Torresian Crow)	© MD
peewee_art_20131123.mp3	cyanoleuca (SE QLD)	Alarm calls	© ART
peewee_20220922.mp3	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	Change of the guard at the nest	© MD
peewee_20180802.m4a	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	? (Pair Q&A)	© MD
peewee_20180802_2.m4a	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	? (Pair Q&A)	© MD
peewee_20240216.m4a	cyanoleuca (NW NSW)	? (Pair Q&A)	© MD
peewee_20140816_3.mp3	neglecta (Top End, NT)	Contact calls	© MD
peewee_20140818.m4a	neglecta (Top End, NT)	Pair Q&A	© MD
peewee_20140816.mp3	neglecta (Top End, NT)	Warning call(?)	© MD
peewee_pb_20180503.m4a	(Darwin, NT)	Alarm calls (Black Butcherbird)	© PB
intract_pb_20180503.m4a	(Darwin, NT)	Alarmed by Black Butcherbird (+ Spangled Drongo)	© PB
peewee_20140816_2.mp3	neglecta (Top End, NT)	?	© MD
peewee_20140816_4.m4a	neglecta (Top End, NT)	?	© MD
peewee_20140816_5.m4a	neglecta (Top End, NT)	?	© MD

Click here for more recordings

We have also recorded Magpie-larks' wing beats.

peewee_20140404_4.mp3

cyanoleuca (NW NSW)

© MD

More Magpie-lark sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.