Yes, it is not a common visitor. It is a “Rare non-breeding visitor”. From the last COG ABR, it looks like just three (separate) records that year. Including
multiple repeats of the one bird at Lake Ginninderra peninsula in February. Which is the only time I have ever seen this species (though been near a couple other times). I can’t see the toes clearly enough on that photo to be 100% on that, although I believe
it has the typical cuckoo foot.
Philip
From: Denise Kay [
Sent: Wednesday, 11 December, 2019 3:40 PM
To: Philip Veerman
Cc: Marnix Zwankhuizen; Canberra Birds
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] ID please
many thanks, I didn’t know about the toes .
So, not a common visitor then ?
I will keep an eye out for a better shot ..
On 11 Dec 2019, at 2:59 pm, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
My immediate thought also was Black-eared Cuckoo (an adult, not a juvenile). The first photo should be enlargable on your screen and if clear enough, you should
be able to see if it has two toes directed backwards. That alone would prove if it is a cuckoo. And if it does, it certainly is a cuckoo and not a honeyeater, nor any kind of passerine.
The colour, size and length suggest a black eared cuckoo rather than one of the bronze cuckoos. Likely a drought refugee.
From: Denise Kay <m("gmail.com","denisekay49");">>
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2019 1:48 pm
To: Marnix Zwankhuizen; Canberra Birds
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] ID please
It is in Giralang , I back onto to Ginninderra creek.
I originally thought it was the white plumed or yellow faced honeyeater as it is the same size .
I think it is still around I will try and get a better shot.
here is another one of the tail
It looks like it could be a black-eared cuckoo.
I have checked all my books , it must be juvenile something. Disappeared before i could get a really detailed shot .Giralang
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