Callum Brae cuckoo ID please

[Julian Robinson <>]

Thanks Ian and Mark - I should have asked "what is it and
why?".  I actually looked at Marg's cuckoo and decided mine
(actually Sue Lashko's since she located it) was probably different, so
...here's a question about approach.  When you identify juveniles
and since the plumage looks nothing like the adults or immatures in the
field guides, are you identifying by experience having seen them before,
or from illustrations/descriptions in more comprehensive books like
HANZAB, or some other way?

Pizzey tells me that the juv Pallid Cuckoo looks 'grotesque' but Marg's
pic didn't strike me that way. What diagnostic features make this a
Pallid?  Maybe just that it is not brown since others seem to be
brown, at least in the more advanced stages shown in field
guides.

I went back this pm, and in two days it has completely outgrown the nest
and looks huge.  Easy to see how they appear at RSPCA's door - this
bird is draped around and over the nest which hangs precariously and
could easily fall, with unfledged baby, to the ground.

Cheers

Julian

At 05:47 PM 2/01/07, Mark Clayton wrote:
> Go on Ian, don't be a chicken,
> you got the last one right for Marg Peachey
> so use a biro. Yep, another Pallid Cuckoo.
>
> Mark
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Fraser
>  
> Sent: Tuesday, 2 January 2007 5:04 PM
> Cc: 
> Subject: Callum Brae cuckoo ID please
>
> Well I don't mind sticking my neck out again and saying I reckon it's
> another Pallid. But put that in pencil for now Julian....
>
> IF