Hello Louise, the bird you have photographed in your garden eating cherry tomatoes is a young Eastern Koel. It is still young based on the amount of golden colour, particularly on the head, females
are similar but have dark heads.
Koels are a fruit-eating species of cuckoo that have increased in number greatly in Canberra over the past 30 years or so. Fledgling Koels were first noticed around 10 years ago and their numbers
have also increased dramatically over the past few years.
Except for a couple of cases, the Red Wattlebird has exclusively been identified as the host species. They are often bred or found in bushy gardens like yours, as they like to hide in the shrubbery
when first out of the nest.
You may have heard it begging and/or Red Wattlebirds may have been around, though it possibly has already become independent of its host. Fledgling/juvenile Eastern Koels will take fruit for themselves
as well as from the host when still dependent.
If you would like any more information I would be happy to provide it.
Regards
Jack Holland
From: B&RGraham <>
Sent: Saturday, 15 February 2020 3:27 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Peregrine Falcon in my garden
Please find attached a query re. a Peregrine Falcon eating tomatoes in a suburban garden. You may wish to respond.
