Channel-billed Cuckoos

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Hi Bob,

 

Sorry, I for one don't get the question. Or at least I see it a different way. Sure it makes sense that parrots are scared of the C-b Cuckoos. They are uncommon (so not encountered often enough for the parrots to learn that they are basically harmless). Equally important is that they are big and grey with a big beak and long tail and look somewhat hawklike in their plumage pattern. That alone would be enough to inspire parrots to respond to seeing them, as though they are hawks. Not responding to something that might be dangerous is a risky option. There is an advantage in being fearful of something uncommon even before you are sure. That is no reason to think that they actually are any kind of danger to them. Sure the C-b Cuckoos may chase them away but adult C-b Cuckoos are fruit eaters.

 

Philip