Great Spotted cuckoo? (1 Viewer)

gerald762

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #1

When I first saw this bird I was amazed by the length of it's tail. Eventually I got some poor pictures, and after various tweaks I think I can identify it. Am I right? Thanks in advance. The photos, of the same bird, taken today near Barbate , Andalucia, Spain. The Pratincoles nesting nearby were not pleased to see it!

 

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John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #2

Yes, Great Spotted Cuckoo.

 

gerald762

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #3

Thanks John, that is a first for me.

 

Jon Turner

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #4

is that possibly a migrant heading back to Africa? I don't think they hang about in the southern part of Spain - no Magpies to parasitise.

John Cantelo?

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #5

Jon Turner said:

is that possibly a migrant heading back to Africa? I don't think they hang about in the southern part of Spain - no Magpies to parasitise.

John Cantelo?

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Most do pass through the area it's true but in the last few decades Common Magpies have increased enormously in that area although still not widespread. They've gone from being restricted to the mouth of the Guadalquivir to being fairly common around Cadiz Bay so I'd imagine Great Spotted Cuckoo may follow suit ...

 

gerald762

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #6

I don't see many magpies around but they are more common the further North you go. Do they use the nests of Azure winged magpies as well? There are plenty of those in Huelva province.

 

Jon Turner

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #7

I've been informed they are now 'Iberian Magpies' split from the far-eastern Azure-winged. But I don't know the answer to your query. Sorry.

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jun 13, 2020

• #8

gerald762 said:

I don't see many magpies around but they are more common the further North you go. Do they use the nests of Azure winged magpies as well? There are plenty of those in Huelva province.

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From BWP, mainly [Eurasian] Magpies, but also Raven, Carrion Crow, Iberian Magpie, Jay all known to be used :t:

 

gerald762

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #9

What is BWP?

 

dantheman

Bah humbug

• Jun 13, 2020

• #10

gerald762 said:

What is BWP?

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Birds of the Western Palearctic ... major ornithological work.

 

gerald762

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #11

Thank you.

 

RafaelMatias

Unknown member

• Jun 13, 2020

• #12

Nutcracker said:

From BWP, mainly [Eurasian] Magpies, but also Raven, Carrion Crow, Iberian Magpie, Jay all known to be used :t:

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In Iberia Jackdaw and Red-billed Chough are occasional host species (together with Carrion Crown and Raven); Iberian Magpie is an exceptional host at best.
June is the month during which adults migrate to Africa (juvs. stick around for a bit longer, normally until September), so it's more than likely that this bird is a southbound migrant.

EDIT: adding to the above, there is another possibility. I can't determine correctly the age of this bird from these photos, but it can be a 2nd. cal year bird. If that is the case then it's not tied to the same "migration dates" as adults, and it might stay for longer in places where breeding does not take place, just prospecting for a future nesting area and gorging on fat hairy caterpillars...

 

Last edited: Jun 13, 2020