canberrabirds

Horsfields Bronze-Cuckoo

To: "" <>, cOG list <>
Subject: Horsfields Bronze-Cuckoo
From: David Rees <>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2019 07:31:36 +0000

It is very common for cuckoos worldwide to eat 'distasteful' caterpillars, that other birds leave.  The European cuckoo does this also, often going for very furry caterpillars..

David


This is interesting as these caterpillars have warning-type coloration and are not eaten by most birds. They can crawl unmolested across paving at Canberra Airport where there are magpies and ravens on the lookout for food. The cuckoos are either resistant to distasteful or poisonous compounds or the caterpillars are sending a fake signal with their warning coloration which fools most other birds. Many cuckoos also eat hairy caterpillars (which may have stinging hairs) which they mash up first, so perhaps they have found a food source less exploited by other birds.

Alison R

 

From: Nicki Taws m("bigpond.com","ntaws");"><>
Sent: Saturday, 14 September 2019 7:53 AM
To: 'chatline' m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");"> <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] Horsfields Bronze-Cuckoo

 

On Monday along the Molonglo River, 2 Horsfield Bronze-cuckoos were enjoying the many succulent Pasture Day-moth caterpillars crawling around on the ground.

 

Cheers

 

Nicki Taws

 

<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