birding-aus
I just had a sneak preview of the Social Organisation text on
Channel-billed Cuckoos in the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and
Antarctic Birds (HANZAB) Vol.4 (to be published in March). An edited (refs
removed for brevity) extract reads:
[Social organisation] poorly known. During breeding season in Aust.,
commonly seen in groups up to about ten birds...; often also occur in twos,
which often said to be pairs...; probable pair observed together near nest
of Little Crows in Alice Springs... Larger flocks also occur: up to 50
birds...; up to 20 feeding in one tree...; up to 60 observed in evening,
flying from feeding sites, probably to a roost... At end of breeding
season, large numbers can gather , apparently for migration..., forming
groups of 6-7..., of up to 30+... Said that always leave C.York on n.
migration in twos... During non-breeding season, in PNG, occur singly and
in groups up to about 12...; flocks of up to 15 seen flying from mainland,
where roosting occurs, to feeding sites on islands, though migration
appears to occur singly or in smaller groups...; concentration of >60 birds
in Nov. suggested to have been pre-migratory gathering...
Cheers,
Hugo
Hugo Phillipps,
Birds Australia Conservation & Liaison,
Australian Bird Research Centre,
415 Riversdale Road,
Hawthorn East, VIC 3123, Australia.
Tel: (03) 9882 2622. Fax: (03) 9882 2677.
O/s: +61 3 9882 2622. Fax: +61 3 9882 2677.
Email: <>
Web Homepage: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~birdsaus/
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