Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Hi Erika,

 

No correction needed. You are spot on. Not unusual and the timing is right. The slight line through the eye, the bars on the flanks and shape of bars on the tail are all a match. About Would the still obvious yellow gape indicate that it is still dependent? well yes and no, it might well be feeding itself by now or maybe still dependent, the yellow gape takes some time to grow out. Maybe the timing varies between individuals?

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Erika Roper [
Sent: Friday, 10 February 2012 1:52 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo

Hello,

I just returned from a walk around Bungendore that started out as me chasing after some YTB Cockatoos that I heard down the street. I ended up finding what a believe to be a juv. Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo. I've never seen one before and my field guide does not have pictures of juvs so I may be wrong. Feel free to correct me. Is this an unusual bird to see in this area?

It was hanging out on powerlines and in some trees, but it did make one short foray to ground level where it fluttered around a bit. Would the still obvious yellow gape indicate that it is still dependent? Other birds in the vicinity were house sparrows, yellow-rumped thornbills, tree martins and a willie wagtail.

It didn't let me get too close so the photos aren't great, but they are good enough for an ID, yes? Also, I apologise if the size of the files is wrong. I am unsure as to the preferred limit.

Erika