Marnix,
On
that and the reaction of the Thornbills, my strong suggestion is a juvenile (DY
or recently so) Bronze-Cuckoo (of either species).
Philip
Hello all
This morning in the small park
across the street in Harrison the calling resident Yellow-rumped Thornbills
brought my attention to a small brown bird. The thornbills seemed very
interested in the brown bird and followed it as it moved through their
territory.
I first saw it perched in a small sapling. It then flew to the
ground by the base of a clump of shrubs, thornbills in tow. Seconds later it
flew up and into a eucalypt sapling. I last saw it fly across another street to
another sapling, vocal thornbills still in tow.
My impression was of a
small, overall darkish brown bird approximately 10-15 cm in length. The size of
a small honeyeater, however, slight upright stance when perched. It seemed to
have a slight crest at one point although that could have been the breeze. I did
not get a good enough view to ascertain whether it had a lighter belly or any
facial marks. It was not a sparrow or any other local small bird I can think
of.
I have trawled through my field guides and the closest I can come up
with is an Australian Reed-Warbler, but this bird seemed to have a more slender
appearance. It's flight was fairly slow with only a slight undulation. It's jizz
was almost like a male Brown Songlark but much smaller in size. I have never
recorded any reed-warblers in Harrison, but suitable habitat exists. The closest
is along Gungaderra Creek some 500+ metres away.
I would appreciate any
comments from fellow list members.
Marnix
