|
Received a call this morning from a resident of Maleny not
previously known to me, but known to another local birder. This person reported
seeing a Long-tailed Koel in his backyard ,next to rainforest east of the Obi
Obi Creek on the Blackall Range, whilst having breakfast this morning.At his
request I went around but the bird had gone before my arrival, and despite an
extensive search couldn't be relocated. The resident had identified the bird
from a (unstated) field guide and commented on the white streaks on its
head.
On returning home I was able to find reference to
this bird only in my1986 Slater where it is described as a "very rare migrant to
east coast during migration from NZ to islands to north of Aust." It is not
mentioned in my editions of Pizzey, nor Simpson & Day for Aust. mainland (is
mentioned for Norfolk and ?Lord Howe Islands). No mention in Readers Digest ,
nor in Photographic Index volume.
I am intrigued! How frequently are these
birds seen on the east coast? Why are they not in field guides other than
Slater? Or rather, why are they in the'86 edition of Slater and not in more
recent publications? How likely are they to be confused with a female Common
Koel? ( I must admit I was surprised to re-read the description of the female
Common Koel and (re-)learn it had a black head and stripe.Try as I may I cannot
visualize this feature on any of the approx.6 female koels I estimate I've seen
in the past 6 years)
When do they normally undertake their northward
migration, and do they island-hop or fly in one stretch? We have certainly had
some wild and windy weather in southern Qld. recently which could have pushed a
northward-flying bird westwards to the east coast.
Would appreciate any info. or thoughts from Koel
experts out there. It may pay for SEQ birders to be alert for possible
sightings???
Russ Lamb, Maleny,
SEQ
| 