Definition

1. Noun:
   • A crow-sized black-and-white bird, known for being a good mimic and often kept in a cage. This term specifically refers to the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), a passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea.

Usage Notes

• The term "piping crow" is a common name, primarily used in Australian English and ornithology to describe this specific bird.
• It is called a "piping" crow due to its complex, melodious, and often flute-like vocalizations, which are a form of song, not a simple crow-like call.
• While "crow" is part of its name, it is not a true crow (genus ) but belongs to the family .

Examples

• Noun:
  • The distinctive call of the piping crow is a familiar sound in the Australian bush.
  • A piping crow was mimicking the ring of a mobile phone perfectly.
  • Due to its intelligence and ability to mimic, the piping crow is sometimes kept as a caged bird.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used descriptively to highlight the bird's vocal talents.
  • The aviary featured a piping crow whose repertoire included car alarms and human whistles.

Variants and Related Words

• Australian Magpie: The more common and precise name for the same bird.
• Piping Crow-Shrike: An older, alternative name.
• Flute-bird: Another colloquial name referencing its musical call.

Synonyms

• Australian Magpie
• Piping Crow-Shrike (archaic)

Related Idioms or Phrases

• To have a memory like a piping crow: An Australian-inspired phrase suggesting an excellent memory, especially for sounds, referencing the bird's mimicry skills. (Note: This is a creative, illustrative idiom based on the bird's trait, not a widely documented common idiom.)

Noun

1. crow-sized black-and-white bird; a good mimic often caged