Western Australia, Perth, Herdsman's Lake (1 Viewer)

C

citrinella

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2014

• #1

We have been mystified by this one - particularly the spotting on the underside of the tail which is not often shown in bird books (except raptors).

We think this bird might have been newly fledged. It appeared to be begging loudly, though we didn't see it being fed, unfortunately. In that light the dark (dull) eye might be a little mis-leading.

Can anyone tell us what it is ?

Mike.

 

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Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Nov 7, 2014

• #2

Looks like a juvenile cuckoo - probably one of the 'bronze cuckoos'. You can see a bit of green coming through in the wings. This picture of a juvenile Horsfield's looks plausibly similar:
http://www.bushpea.com/bd/pg/all/h/horsfields bronze-cuckoo 09.html

 

S

stonechat1

New member

• Nov 7, 2014

• #3

Doesn´t it look like a Woodswallow species?
PS.: I stand corrected, Andrew is sure right with that undertail pattern.

 

Last edited: Nov 7, 2014

timsg80

Gregor Tims

• Nov 7, 2014

• #4

Really good call Andrew. I couldn't say which one it is, but it's definitely one of the Bronze Cuckoos.

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Nov 7, 2014

• #5

My only question is whether it's Horsfield's or Shining Bronze Cuckoo. Not totally sure. Having looked at a few pictures of juveniles, the usual 'obvious' differences between the two seem much less apparent.

 

C

citrinella

Well-known member

• Nov 7, 2014

• #6

Andrew Whitehouse said:

Looks like a juvenile cuckoo - probably one of the 'bronze cuckoos'. You can see a bit of green coming through in the wings. This picture of a juvenile Horsfield's looks plausibly similar:
http://www.bushpea.com/bd/pg/all/h/horsfields bronze-cuckoo 09.html

Click to expand...

Thanks Andrew,

We had looked at cuckoos, but our books don't show juveniles like that. The photo you linked is spot on.

Mike.

P.S. maybe that explains why it appeared to be begging at every bird in the vicinity.

 

John_WA

Well-known member

• Nov 8, 2014

• #7

I'd say Shining, not the best angle but would still expect more of an eyestripe for Horsfield's (even a young one). Shining also significantly more likely to be breeding at Herdsman

 

Tiraya

San Diego CA

• Nov 8, 2014

• #8

Jv. shining bronze-cuckoo was my first impression, but at such a young age it might be hard to discount a dusky jv. Horsfield's since they can show obscured supercilium.

 

C

citrinella

Well-known member

• Nov 9, 2014

• #9

Thanks again, especially to John for the local insight - Horsfield's are unlikely to breed at Herdsman's. We have observed Shining Bronze-cuckoo adult here - caught by the local banding group within 50m of where these photos were taken.

Mike.