currawong

American

[kuhr-uh-wawng, -wong] / ˈkʌr əˌwɔŋ, -ˌwɒŋ /

noun

any of several large black-and-white passerine birds of the genus Strepera, of Australia, having a resounding bell-like voice.

currawong British

/ ˈkʌrəˌwɒŋ /

noun

Also called: bell magpie. any Australian crowlike songbird of the genus Strepera, having black, grey, and white plumage: family Cracticidae

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of currawong

First recorded in 1925–30, currawong is from the Dharuk word gu-ra-wa-ruŋ

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just now, a jet-black, golden-eyed currawong flew low past my study window, changing the view.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023