canberrabirds

FW: [canberrabirds] Black-eared Cuckoo

To: "" <>
Subject: FW: [canberrabirds] Black-eared Cuckoo
From: Geoffrey Dabb <>
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2018 00:26:36 +0000

Species origin table for selected species at Diddams Close

Elm Trees

Elm Tree Beetles

Black-eared Cuckoos

Black-eared Cuckoo

observers

Introduced

Introduced

Native

Introduced

 

 

 

From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Friday, 9 February 2018 10:39 AM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Black-eared Cuckoo

 

The pictures in the field guides vary widely as to how buff or grey these birds are on their undersides. HANZAB explains it as feather wear, so that the feather tips (that over time break off) are coloured, leaving greyer bases. This bird is very buff (almost like a pale male Rufous Whistler) and as the photos show, is a little scruffy.

 

From: Geoffrey Dabb
Sent: Friday, 9 February, 2018 6:51 AM
To:
Subject: FW: [canberrabirds] Black-eared Cuckoo

 

 

 

From: Michael Lenz
Sent: Thursday, 8 February 2018 3:23 PM
To: Philip Veerman
Cc: canberrabirds chatline
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Black-eared Cuckoo

 

The bird was still there at 15:00 h doing similar things to what Sue and Philip  have described, but also chasing at times the other Bronze Cuckoos.

 

Michael Lenz

 

On 8 February 2018 at 14:33, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Yes a “me too”. I went about mid day today and found Con B. at the site, who showed me where it had been, exactly as Sue described. I strolled and sat on the park bench for 20+ minutes blankly looking into the trees thinking I should come back tomorrow morning when the birds should be more active. It is a little awkward strolling around with binoculars near two young ladies sunning themselves in bikinis nearby. Then the Black-eared Cuckoo appeared, flew in and perched about 3 metres away from me, stayed in easy view for about 10 minutes whilst I sat on the park bench and then I lost it. Geoffrey D appeared and the Black-eared Cuckoo reappeared almost immediately, followed by Julie C. Anyway we 3 watched it for maybe 30 minutes, mostly at very close range. Many photos taken (not by me). It stayed at about 2.5 to 4 metres above ground, in contrast to the 2 spp of Bronze-Cuckoos (1 of each) who were only seen by me near the tree top. The Black-eared Cuckoo was feeding throughout the time, delicately picking off the small caterpillars, each by the middle of the body (as far as I could see). Only flying minimally, mainly just walking along the branches. It is a first ever observation of this species for me. It is some years since I added a bird to my Aussie list. Thanks for the information.

 

Philip

 

From: Sue Lashko [
Sent: Wednesday, 7 February, 2018 6:37 PM
To: canberrabirds chatline
Subject: [canberrabirds] Black-eared Cuckoo

 

Just back from a very productive 45 minutes at Bimbi Beach, Diddams Close, Lake Ginninderra.  Christine D had already located the Black-eared Cuckoo when I arrived and by the time we left we had identified both bronze-cuckoos as well as a Fan-tailed.  The elm leaves are being attacked by small caterpillars and the cuckoos were gorging themselves, so it would be reasonable to assume that the cuckoos might still be there in the morning.

 

Just to repeat the location - the elms between the dog park and the beach and the actual trees were between the 2 barbeques.

 

Cheers

Image removed by sender.

 

 

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the Canberra Ornithologists Group mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the list contact David McDonald, list manager, phone (02) 6231 8904 or email . If you can not contact David McDonald e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU