At Newline this morning, this Cuckoo skulking where I couldn’t see it properly. The enhanced photo reveals that the plumage doesn’t match any of the immature states illustrated in HANZAB. My first thought would have been a Fantail based on likelihood, but a Brush based only on no eye ring (all the HANZAB pics of Fantails even juvenile have the yellow eye ring). In the end I’m going for an adult female barred-morph Brush Cuckoo, but would appreciate confirmation or an alternative. Also a question – do we see both morphs of Brush Cuckoo in SE Australia?
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I don’t want to steal all Sue Lashko’s survey report thunder but it turned out to be a very interesting morning. When I first arrived mid-morning I walked through the whole front paddock with nothing but Noisy Miners, Starlings, Rosellas and Magpies to be seen, and plenty of the first two. When we came back around noon it was a different story with one highlight being two Sea Eagles (adult + imm) gliding low over the front paddock as we munched our Easter buns amongst the mosquitos.
Julian
www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/
