currawong

English

A currawong

Wikispecies

Etymology

Probably from Yagara garrawaŋ, ultimately onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkʌɹəwɒŋ/

Noun

currawong (plural currawongs)

1. Any of the three species, and several subspecies, of large, mainly black, predatory passerine birds in the genus Strepera, of the family Artamidae, endemic to Australia.
   • 1983, Robert Drewe, The Bodysurfers, Penguin, published 2009, page 68:

     Currawongs and cookaburras woke him early.

   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 174:

     She has small unblinking eyes like a currawong, turning its head on one side and staring malevolently […].

Derived terms

• black currawong
• black-winged currawong
• brown currawong
• clinking currawong
• grey currawong
• pied currawong