Meet Cookie
Cookie is a black-faced cuckoo-shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)—a sleek, blue-grey beauty with a bold black mask and a voice like a soft warble. He came into care about three weeks ago after suffering a fractured coracoid (a shoulder bone critical for flight). When he arrived, his wing dragged limply at his side, and he was quiet, and uncomfortable in his new surroundings.
Fast forward three weeks, and Cookie is now flying beautifully in his small aviary, wings compact and strong. We’re hoping that next week, he’ll graduate to the full aviary for strength training before being released back into his home range. (Yes—they’re territorial! Black-faced cuckoo-shrikes often return to the same nesting areas year after year.)
In the wild, black-faced cuckoo-shrikes are found across most of Australia in wooded habitats, including open forests, woodlands, and even suburban areas. They feed mainly on insects and other invertebrates, which they catch mid-air or pluck from foliage. They also enjoy the occasional fruit or seed. Their nests are small, shallow saucers made of sticks and bark, bound together with cobwebs—both parents share the building and parenting duties.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes may mate with the same partner each year, and may use the same territories year after year. The nest is remarkably small for the size of the bird. It is a shallow saucer of sticks and bark, bound together with cobwebs. Both partners construct the nest and care for the young birds.
The nestling period is 21 days. The breeding season is from August to February; varies in more arid areas.
Cookie is also a bit of a character. A true “don’t-mess-with-my-insectivore” kind of bird:
I added egg to his mix—he carefully picked out every piece and placed it in the container next to his bowl.
Tried mealy worms—same result. Neatly relocated, untouched.
Nectar mix? He now has two separate bowls. One for food. One for “whatever that is.”
He sings beautifully, and I have to admit—my old mantra of “I don’t do birds” is slowly being dismantled by the steady stream of feathered guests needing R&R in my aviary. Cookie’s recovery has been a joy to witness, and when he finally takes flight into the big blue, I’ll be cheering him on with a full heart.
UPDATE 15/07/2025
Textbook release for Cookie
Sunday brought perfect weather—and a perfect outcome. Cookie, our black-faced cuckoo-shrike, was released back into the wild exactly where he was found. Since they mate for life, returning him to the precise location gave him the best chance to reunite with his partner.
Alice came to collect him, and I wasn’t quite sure how she’d manage in the big aviary. But in true expert form, she had him safely caught and tucked into his carry bag in under two minutes. What a champ.
Cookie came into care with a coracoid fracture—an injury to a vital shoulder bone that birds use like a strut between the chest and wing. It’s a serious injury that can severely affect flight. For a month, Cookie underwent a careful recovery plan: first in a small aviary to rest and heal, then transitioning to the large flight aviary to regain strength, coordination, and balance.
He soared out with confidence. Listen to his goodbye call at the end of the video—his wings and spirit are strong. What a glorious result for a bird who fought hard and healed well.
Fly free, Cookie. You’re back where you belong.