Australia is home to a diverse range of bird species, some of which are known for their loud, screaming calls that can often be heard at night. The most likely culprit for a screaming noise in the night sky in many parts of Australia is the currawong – a medium-sized bird found across much of the eastern and southeastern parts of the country. However, there are a few other birds that could potentially be the source of nighttime screams as well.
Currawong
The currawong is a passerine bird in the Artamidae family, closely related to butcherbirds and Australian magpies. There are three main species:
- Grey currawong
- Pied currawong
- Black currawong
Of these, the pied currawong is the most widespread and familiar across eastern Australia, occurring in urban areas as well as bushland and forests. The pied currawong is a large bird around 45-50cm long, with black plumage and distinct white patches under the tail and wings. It has a loud, ringing or screeching call that carries for a long distance. This call is often described as a “primal scream”.
Currawongs are highly territorial, and the male’s scream is thought to define territory boundaries and attract a mate. They scream most frequently at dawn and dusk, but also through the night during the breeding season of August to January. The pied currawong’s scream is so distinctive that it is colloquially known as the “currawong scream”.
Other Birds that Scream at Night in Australia
While the currawong is certainly the most likely source of nighttime screams across eastern Australia, there are a few other birds that could potentially be behind these noises:
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a large white parrot found widely across northern and eastern Australia. It has a raucous, wailing call that carries long distances. Sulphur-crested cockatoos are known to call loudly when coming into roost at dusk.
Australian Magpie
Australian magpies have a variety of carolling calls, and sometimes scream loudly when defending their nesting territory. This defensive screaming is most common during spring when breeding. However it is less likely to occur at night compared to the currawong.
Masked Owl
The masked owl is a medium-sized owl with dark eyes and no ear tufts found across much of Australia. It can make a loud, blood-curdling screeching noise, but this is not common. Masked owls are nocturnal but are more likely to screech during the evening rather than the middle of the night.
Bush Stone-curlew
The bush stone-curlew is a large, ground-dwelling bird found across Australia, except for the central southern coast and inland. It has a loud, wailing cry that carries through the night. This cry is often described as sounding like a “woman screaming” and may be made by pairs calling to each other at night during the breeding season. However, bush stone-curlews occur mainly in open habitats rather than dense bushland.
Identifying Features of Currawong Screaming
When trying to discern whether an Australian nighttime screech is made by a currawong or another species, there are a few key identifying features of the currawong scream:
- Very loud, ringing and piercing quality
- Carries over long distances of over 1km
- Often repeated multiple times in a sequence, sometimes up to 20 screams in a row
- Most common around dawn and dusk
- Occurs most often during breeding season from August-January
The currawong’s call is one of the loudest and most penetrating bird calls in Australia. The frequent repetition and shrill, ringing quality help distinguish it from the territorial screams of other birds. This aids currawongs in defending their nesting sites and broadcasting their presence.
Purpose and Meaning of Currawong Screaming
The main purpose and meaning behind the currawong’s nighttime screaming is territoriality. The loud call:
- Lets other currawongs know they are entering a territory already occupied
- Helps attract a mate during breeding season
- Defines the boundaries of their territory
By screaming loudly and repetitively in a certain area, the currawong establishes that section of bushland as its own. This discourages trespass from rivals and intruders. Any currawong entering the territory is loudly informed that it belongs to another bird.
The currawong’s scream reaches a frenzied peak during breeding season when pairs defend nesting sites and males try to attract females. This explains why the scream is most often heard from August-January.
Reactions and Superstitions Around the Currawong Scream
The penetrating, ringing shriek of the currawong has garnered much folklore and superstition. Some reactions and beliefs surrounding the currawong scream include:
- Seen as an ill omen of approaching death or danger
- Believed to foretell of coming storms, rain or wind changes
- Said to be the cry of a tortured woman’s soul or departed spirits
- Fills some with feelings of loneliness, isolation or mystery
- Leads to unease, especially when heard at night in an unfamiliar place
Many find the currawong’s insistent, ringing scream disturbing or eerie when heard at night. The fact it echoes for miles through bushland adds to the sense of encroaching danger and mystery. Remote rural settlers certainly disliked this piercing call piercing the night’s silence.
Some Indigenous Australian groups believed the currawong communicated with spirits during initiation ceremonies. Others thought masked evil spirits mimicked the currawong’s cry. These mysterious qualities have cemented the currawong scream’s place in Australian folklore.
Where to Hear and See Currawongs in Australia
Currawongs occur throughout eastern Australia from Victoria through to Cape York Peninsula. Here are some of the best places across different states to hear their famous scream and observe them in their natural habitat:
New South Wales
- Royal National Park – vast coastal heathland south of Sydney
- Coffs Coast – rainforests like Sealy Lookout near Coffs Harbour
- Dorrigo National Park – World Heritage rainforest with many currawong territories
Victoria
- Grampians National Park – sandstone mountain range with bushland
- Wilsons Promontory – coastal forests and granite mountains attract currawongs
- Otway Ranges – wet forest along the Great Ocean Road
Queensland
- Lamington National Park – sub-tropical rainforest with plenty of currawongs
- Mount Glorious – currawongs in eucalypt forest within an hour of Brisbane
- Daintree rainforest – ancient rainforest with a large currawong population
In these areas, you’ll have the best chance of hearing the currawong’s scream around dawn or dusk. Look for large black and white birds that appear like an oversized butcherbird. They are often seen in pairs or small groups sitting in the mid-level tree canopy.
Conclusion
The bird most likely behind blood-curdling screeches often heard piercing the night across eastern Australia is the pied currawong. Its loud, repetitive territorial call rings out mainly at dawn and dusk, especially during breeding season. This serves to defend nest sites and attract mates. The currawong’s scream has garnered plenty of superstition thanks to its unearthly, penetrating quality. Those exploring Australia’s forests and coastal regions may be startled to hear this iconic sound echoing through the bush at night! Some of the best places to witness currawongs in their natural habitat include rainforests and bushland from Victoria through to northern Queensland.
