how to recognize bronze-cuckoo species? (Campbell Park)

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Yes they are difficult. Actually the field guides give the relevant tips, more than retyping them here. Mainly face pattern and extent of bars across chest. I think it is often hard to see the tail colour. If you tell us what books you have checked out, maybe we can better guess if you are missing something. If seen well enough the adults are not so hard, the juveniles are much harder. By the way it is Horsfield's not Horsefield's, named after Dr Horsfield.

 

Oh and was your Pied butcherbird that or something else. They are rarely in Canberra but possible.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----From: Susanne Gardiner [ Sent: Tuesday, 25 January 2011 11:42 AM
To: canberra birds     Subject: [canberrabirds] how to recognize bronze-cuckoo species? (Campbell Park)

Hi all

Sorry, another very lay-question.Pied butcherbird

I can faintly remember that recognising bronze cuckoo species is rather difficult, but was wandering if there are any tips what to look out for.

I saw one at Campbell Park on Sunday afternoon, but have no idea whether Shining or Horsefield's. It was more bronze than green, though I guess light plays a role, too.

I saw more of it from the back than the bars on the front.

(Sharing binoculars with your child does not help either, as viewing times are cut rather short.) 

Are Dollarbird sightings noteworthy?

There was one on a lookout in a dead tree near the horse gate. 

(The first one I have seen in years and only the 3rd I have ever seen in the ACT, which doesn't mean they weren't there.)

There were quite a few dusky woodswallows about - feeding some young.

Also saw a flycatcher, though not sure if Leaden or Satin and my photo of it is quite fuzzy,and a Pied butcherbird.

Cheers, Susanne

PS. Thanks for all the info on naming Koels.