Large, elegant, slender bird with long tail, gray upperparts and breast, black wing, pale eye, and faintly barred belly. Very long tail. Juvenile finely barred above. This species struts around in open arid and semi-arid regions in small parties or perches high in dead trees. Sometimes mistaken for Australian Magpie from a great distance, a species that also perches in snags. Calls include a loud, piercing whistle and chattering.