Another Channel-billed Cuckoo

[Kim Farley via Canberrabirds <>]

A good point Philip, but in the case of Channel-bills they are invariably very loud, even at a considerable distance. Louder than Koels, and louder than Kookaburras at a similar distance from the bird. 

I had a quick look at HANZAB which has this to say:

"VOICE

...Can be very noisy, especially in flight. Utter loud, harsh and discordant notes and screeches, audible perhaps to 500 m, at any hour of day or night, and often in flight (Berney 1906; MacGillivray 1914; Sedgwick 1951; Bell 1970; McCulloch 1980; Beruldsen 1990; North; Mathews). In breeding season, can fly about and screech all night, becoming silent at dawn (Campbell; Broadbent 1910); also said to be most usually heard early in morning (Mathews). Very vocal in flight (MacGillivray 1918; Storr 1953). When feeding may be silent for hours (North), but can also be noisy (Jones 1981). One pair uttered screaming calls for over 1 h while wheeling in flight and skirmishing with Torresian Crows over access to nest (Crouther 1980). Chorus of cries, or cries in flight, before rain, hence vernacular Stormbird (Berney 1904; North).  non-vocal sounds:Sound of wings audible when taking to flight (Church 1925). 

Other Calls. Quiet reedy trumpeting sounds from female when male approaching with food during courtship feeding; also low guttural calls from both birds (Hindwood & McGill 1951; Johnson 1983)."

It seems as though we are getting off lightly here in Canberra! And there is no evidence they are breeding here, so we won't be hearing those "quiet reedy trumpeting sounds".

Kim

On Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 10:47 AM Philip Veerman via Canberrabirds <> wrote:

I wonder how often some of these birds call NOT loudly. I suspect in many cases, that someone makes mention of the perceived volume, it is largely because of proximity. Some species of birds just are so loud that most observations start with the noise. If I hear Koels that sound loud, I tend to find (if I can see them) that they are close. For what little it is worth, I have not yet encountered a Channel-billed Cuckoo anything less than about a couple hundred km from Canberra but I guess that is mainly a matter of luck (and trying).

 

Philip

 

From: Canberrabirds [ On Behalf Of chollop7--- via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 13 December, 2024 6:25 AM
To: CanberraBirds email list
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Another Channel-billed Cuckoo

 

Good morning all,

 

At 0607 this morning a Channel-billed Cuckoo flew directly over my house (and GBS site) in Kaleen calling loudly. This is the second C-b C I have had in the local area this summer.

 

Mark

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