Grallinidae

(Grallinidae)

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Suborder: Passeri (Oscines)

Family: Grallinidae

Thumbnail description
Medium to large birds with black and white or gray and brown plumage

Size
8–18 in (20–45 cm)

Number of genera, species
3 genera; 4 species

Habitat
Open woodland

Conservation status
Not threatened

Distribution
Australasia

Evolution and systematics

The four species of mudnesters fall into three subfamilies, the Corcoracinae, the Struthideinae, and the Grallininae. Corcoracinae consists of one genus and one species, the white-winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos). Struthideinae also has only one genus and one species, the apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea). The Grallininae subfamily contains a single genus with two species, the Australian magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and the torrent-lark (G. bruijni) that lives only in the New Guinea highlands. The two species differ in morphology, behavior, and genetics. Grallina have been shown to have biochemical similarities with monarch flycatchers and drongos.

Physical characteristics

The Grallina are medium sized birds with striking black and white plumage. Corcoracinae are larger, with black and white or gray and brown plumage. Juveniles can be distinguished from adults by eye color and, in some cases, plumage.

Distribution

Grallina occur in Australia and New Guinea, whereas Corcoracinae are specific to Australia.

Habitat

All species except the torrent-lark favor open habitats with some trees and water for nesting, and with open ground for foraging. By contrast, torrent-larks are found in forested hills and mountains, usually near fast-flowing streams.

Behavior

Grallina are usually seen in pairs or small family units, while the Corcoracinae live in large groups, sometimes including more than a dozen birds.

Feeding ecology and diet

Torrent-larks, as their name suggests, forage along fast-flowing mountain streams, taking insects from exposed rocks and the water. The magpie-larks are all predominantly ground foragers. The Corcoracinae forage together in scattered groups, moving forward together as they search the ground for food.

Reproductive biology

Most breeding occurs between August and December or February, though in arid areas birds may breed at any time of year, taking advantage of rain to build their mud nests. Most group members help with building the bowl of mud reinforced with sticks and grass, and lined with fine grass and fibers. They also take turns incubating eggs and feeding chicks. Clutches of three to five eggs hatch after about 18 days, and chicks leave the nest two to four weeks later. Grallina breed in monogamous pairs, while Corcoracinae are cooperative breeders, meaning that more than two birds provide care in rearing the young from one nest.

Conservation status

The torrent-lark is endemic to New Guinea and choughs and apostlebirds are endemic to Australia, but all four species are widespread, and common in suitable habitat.

Significance to humans

None known.

Species accounts

Resources

Ivison, T. "Magpie-larks" and "Mud-nest builders". In Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines of Australia, edited by Robert Strahan. Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1996.

Morcombe, Michael. Field Guide to Australian Birds. Archerfield: Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd, 2000.

Boland, C.R.J., R. Heinsohn, and A. Cockburn. "Experimental manipulation of brood reduction and parental care in cooperatively breeding white-winged choughs." Journal of Animal Ecology 66 (1997): 683–691.

Boland, C.R.J., R. Heinsohn, and A. Cockburn. "Deception by helpers in cooperatively breeding white-winged choughs and its experimental manipulation." Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 41 (1997): 251–256.

Chapman, Graeme. "The social life of the Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea." Emu 98 (1998): 178–183.

Hall, Michelle L. "The importance of pair duration and biparental care to reproductive success in the monogamous Australian magpie-lark." Australian Journal of Zoology 47 (1999): 439–454.

Hall, Michelle L. "The function of duetting in magpie-larks: conflict, cooperation, or commitment?" Animal Behaviour 60 (2000): 667–677.

Heinsohn, Robert G. Slow learning of foraging skills and extended parental care in cooperatively breeding white-winged choughs." American Naturalist 137 (1991): 864–881.

[Article by: Michelle L. Hall, PhD]

The Grallinidae was a presumed family of passerine birds. In DNA research^{[citation needed]}, however, the species in this family were discovered to be unrelated.

The four species that were formerly considered to be Grallinidae were:

• the Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
• the Torrent-lark (Grallina bruijni)
• the White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)
• the Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)

The first two of these are now often assigned to the Dicruridae family, although some people still classify them in a separate family. The latter two form the Corcoracidae family.

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External links

• Grallinidae videos on the Internet Bird Collection

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