The grey currawong (Strepera versicolor) is a large passerine bird native to southern Australia, including Tasmania. One of three currawong species, it is a large crow-like bird, around 48 cm (19 in) long, with yellow irises, a heavy bill, and dark plumage, with a white undertail and wing patches. The male and female are similar in appearance. The six subspecies are distinguished by their overall plumage shade. They have a distinctive loud ringing or clinking call. The currawong is generally sedentary, although it is a winter visitor in south-easternmost Australia. Much of its behaviour and habits is poorly known. It is a ground-foraging omnivore and builds its nests high in trees. It is found in forests and scrubland in drier regions. Unlike its more common relatives, it has adapted poorly to human impact, and has declined in much of its range.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_currawong> _______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries: 1843: Royal Navy captain Lord George Paulet began a five-month occupation of the Hawaiian Islands. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulet_affair> 1951: After being postponed due to World War II, the inaugural Pan American Games opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina (flame ceremony pictured). <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_American_Games> 2009: At their headquarters in Pilkhana, members of the Bangladesh Rifles began a mutiny that resulted in 82 deaths. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Rifles_revolt> _____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day: stance: 1. The manner, pose, or posture in which one stands. 2. One's opinion or point of view. 3. A place to stand; a position, a site, a station. 4. (specifically, climbing) A foothold or ledge on which to set up a belay. 5. (Scotland) A place for buses or taxis to await passengers; a bus stop, a taxi rank. 6. (Scotland) A place where a fair or market is held; a location where a street trader can carry on business. 7. (obsolete, rare) A stanza. <https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stance> ___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day: Military people have a heavy investment in rules against torture, not only because we want to protect our own POWs from reciprocal brutalities… but also because war is so terrible that it desperately requires any limits anyone can agree on, any gesture toward dignity, any mitigation suggesting civilized scruple. There isn’t even persuasive evidence that torture makes its victims tell their secrets, instead of saying whatever we want to hear. --John Leonard <https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Leonard> _______________________________________________ Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list. To unsubscribe, visit: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l Questions or comments? Contact [email protected]
