Size: 46-50cm

Description: striking bird with a long black and white tail. The body is rust-coloured with a black-brown head and neck, and black and white wings. The bill is short, thick and black. Sexes are similar. Often seen in pairs in trees or hopping as they forage on the ground.

Diet: mainly scavengers, they are omnivorous though primarily carnivorous, favouring large invertebrates and small vertebrates such as small birds, rodents, bats and reptiles. Will scavenge roadkill.

Song: noisy, with raucous chatter and squawks, sometimes emitting a distinctive, metallic “ko-ki-la” plinking noise.

Breeds: May-June.