Magpie-lark (also known as Peewee, Mudlark, or Little Magpie)

The Magpie-lark is a medium-sized bird (25-30cm) with bold black and white plumage. Males have a black throat and white eyebrow, while females have a white throat and lack the eyebrow. Known for their 'Pee-wee' duet calls and high-stepping walk.

Bicolor: The distal (top) third is pure white, while the proximal (bottom) two-thirds are a deep charcoal-black. Small reddish stains near the tip appear to be external (blood or soil) rather than natural pigmentation

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout the distal portion, with a small plumulaceous section near the base (calamus)

Strong, semi-rigid rachis that is dark where the barbs are dark and transitioning to a pale/translucent pith at the calamus; barbs are densely packed

Smooth and slightly glossy on the dark portion; the white tip has a matte, soft texture; the vane is relatively stiff for flight stability

Tail (rectrix); the distinct bi-color pattern with a white tip and dark base is characteristic of the tail plumage of this species

Distinctive sharp horizontal 'cutoff' line between the black base and the white tip; medium-passerine size; relatively thick rachis

Found in almost any open or semi-open habitat including urban parks, gardens, wetlands, farmlands, and woodlands, often near water

Commonly distributed throughout mainland Australia, southern New Guinea, and Lord Howe Island; mostly resident year-round

High-level insectivore in urban and rural environments; helps control garden pests and ground-dwelling invertebrates

Pied Currawong (larger, white at base of tail, not tip), Australian Magpie (much larger, different tail pattern), Australian Pipit (smaller, brown/buff tones)

Magpie-larks are famous for their complex 'antiphonal' duets, where pairs sing alternating notes so perfectly they sound like one bird. They are also known for building bowl-shaped nests made entirely of mud and grass.

Commonly featured in Australian urban folklore as 'Peewees'; historically not used in major industry, but recognized as a familiar backyard sentinel

Look on the ground near parks or open fields after a windy day or during late summer/autumn molting periods; often found near mud-nesting sites

Fair to Good; shows some wear and separation (splitting) of the barbs on the trailing edge; tips are slightly ragged; note the external red staining