Stone the crows! This black beauty can be found at the entrance to Crowtrap Studio in Pokolbin, and was created by revered local artist Chris Fussell.
Playful and cheeky with a menacing edge, The Crowtrap Crow is one of the most realistic Biggies I’ve ever encountered. Individually-sculpted feathers have worn and aged over the past two decades, giving him more character with every passing year.
The Crow is perched as though ready to take flight – a moment of action frozen in time. But what truly lingers on the mind are his wise, knowing eyes. Seeming to peer through time, they exude wisdom and compassion.
Resting by the side of the dusty, peaceful, Palmers Lane, The Crow’s very easy to take a photo with. Accompanied by an orchestra of native birds, you’ll have plenty of time to take a selfie with this obsidian avian, far from the maddening crowds.
One thing’s for sure – The Crowtrap Crow is no tourist trap!
Something to Crow About
The Crow serves as a quirky mascot for the Crowtrap art studio, and offers insight into the marvellous mind of Chris Fussell.
“I like to try and capture the childlike joy of creating, whether it is painting or sculpture,” cawed Chris, who also crafted The Big Kookaburra in nearby Kurri Kurri. “Pushing the medium to the limits of control. It becomes a relationship between subject, medium and self, always fluctuating.”
Chris has already left an indelible mark on the Land of the Bigs, but now he’s really spreading his wings. In April 2025, after two years of painstaking work, he put the finishing touches on a second Big Kookaburra.
Similar – though by no means identical – to the one in Kurri, this king-sized kingfisher was plonked on the back of a flatbed truck and trundled all the way down to Donald, Victoria. He now stand proudly outside Kooka’s Country Cookies.
I didn’t think I could like Chris and his work any more than I already did – but I was made to eat crow on that one!
Counting Crows
Everybody’s heard about the bird, but I’m not sure feather you know there are so many other winged wonders spread across the Land of the Bigs.
The Big Bowerbird is about 400km away, as the crow flies, in Raleigh. New South Wales is also home to Canoli the Cocky, Stanley the Emu, and the roguish Cowra Eagle.
Take a short flight up to Queensland to admire local celebs Pelican Pete and Katey Seagull. Apple Tree Creek is home to The Big Parrot, while The Big Honeyeater lives in Logan Reserve. He’s really sweet!
Chick-toria – oops, I mean Victoria! – has some beaky pals, too. The rather pleasant Bruno the Pheasant has lured in Bigthusiasts for decades, whilst The Big Eagle is a newer addition. Then there’s The Big Kingfisher and a few Big Emus in Strathfieldsaye. They’re flappin’ fabulous!
Adelaide has a Big Pigeon strutting around Rundle Mall. Loxton has a dashing Pelican. Canberra – that most romantic of cities – has some Kissing Galahs. Even Dar-wing – oops, I mean Darwin! – has Chinute Chinute the Big Owl.
And then there’s the big chickens! From The Big Chook in Moonbi to Charlie the Chicken, and Chickeletta to The Big Chook in Mount Vernon, these guys are all they’re clucked up to be!
Oh, and who could forget The Big Penguin? He live in (where else) Penguin, Tasmania!
“I wish there were more Big Crows around the place for this to guy hang out with,” I moaned to Gordon as we drove off.
“It’s probably for the best,” he chuckled. “That would be attempted murder!”
