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

[Susanne Gardiner <>]

Sorry, no, on hindsight I cannot be 100% sure. The back pattern looked more black than a Grey Butcherbird, but I didn't look for the chest. And the call was different. 

The Flycatcher was a Satin one. The photo is fuzzy, but the underside of the tail is definitely dark.

@ Philip Veerman. re Cuckoos

At the moment I am using a Simpson&Day Guide (with Slater at home and ACT Guide still on the Ship to OZ), though I was too surprised to see the bird and then get my son to see it, that I didn't compare there and then. I have often missed viewing birds for longer, because I had my nose in the book, so I usually try to look at the book later. Maybe not a good way of doing it.

It (the Bronze Cuckoo) was about a meter up on a young tree and then went down into a short bush, where we lost it. I always expect cuckoos higher up. 

Cheers, Susanne

--- On Tue, 25/1/11, Alastair Smith <> wrote:

From: Alastair Smith <>

Suzanne,

Can you confirm the sighting of the Pied Butcherbird. This is a rare visitor to the ACT and worth posting to Birdline ACT!

Regards

Alastair 

From: Susanne Gardiner <m("yahoo.de","susemi92");" target="_blank" href="/mc/compose?to=">>

Hi all

Sorry, another very lay-question.

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.