birding-aus

Currawongs and Channel-billed Cuckoos

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Subject: Currawongs and Channel-billed Cuckoos
From: "alan morris" <>
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 10:01:04 +1100
Hi Birders,

I cannot answer all of Nevil's questions but I can say that it is not normal that three Channel-billed Cuckoo eggs are laid in the one Currawong nest but it has been reported on at least two other occasions that I can recall. Two young per Currawong nest although not the normal thing, is not uncommon. In fact in my garden at Bateau Bay yesterday morning there was a pair of Pied Currawongs feeding two juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoos, seeminly the same size. The young birds remained about 50 m apart but were obviuously of the same family. Interestingly enough there was an adult CB Cuckoo hanging around and staying close but I did not see it attempt to feed either chick.

Without DNA sampling, it cannot be known whether there are multiple donors of eggs to the Currawongs nest or whether it was the same bird who could not find enough receipients for her eggs and so ended up taking them back all to the same nest.

Alan Morris
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