Unidentified Black/brown bird (1 Viewer)

Hi
I live in the far north of NSW and saw a bird a few days ago that I have never seen before and hope that the Forum can help me to identify it.

It was about the size of a currawong with a long black tail feather.
the body and head were black and the wings were a beautiful tan/brown colour.

Would anyone have any ideas what it could be. I have been right through my Slater's Field guide to Australian Birds but can't find it in there.

Regards
Kerrie

Hi Kerrie,

Could be a Pheasant Coucal

Gavin

Maybe, but the tail feather was definitely black and the Coucal have a banded tail. I wasn't close enough to see the wings really well so they could have been a banded colour. I will admit that the Coucal was the only bird in Slater's book that looked anything like the bird I saw.
Thank you for your comment.
Regards
Kerrie

Coucal by the sound of it. Not all will necessarily have banded tails, or visibly banded.

http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CC0QsAQwAQ