Hi Justin, I don't know if I can help you much, but here goes.
According to Morecombe (Field Guide to Australian Birds, 2000), two
subspecies of the Oriental Cuckoo may be seen in Australia: Cuculus
saturatus saturatus and C.s.optatus. Optatus is apparently the more common
(I am going purely by the field guide here, I have never seen an Oriental
Cuckoo). Also, again according to Morecombe, the South Asian C.s.saturatus
is smaller than C.s.optatus.
As far as having Horsfield's Cuckoo in Australia, we have a species of
Chrysococcyx called Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalis. It
looks totally different to the Oriental.
Out of interest, how many subspecies are there of the Oriental Cuckoo?
Hope this helped. Cheers, Michael
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, 24 September 2002 18:05
To:
Subject: Horsfields and Oriental Cuckoo
Hi people down under,
While preparing the trip to Australia between 18 oct and 4 december I
stumble into a rather rare situation about Oriental and Horsfield's Cuckoo.
In the Clements list is mentioned that both species (recently split) occur
into Australia. But I dont know if both can can be found in Australia. Can
someone please clear the situation. Personaly I think that Horsfields
occured in Australia and oriental not, as Horsfields is a very long distance
migrant (even found in Finland).
This is mentioned in Clements:
- Oriental Cuckoo - Cuculus saturatus saturatus (Himalayan Cuckoo)(S
Himalayas to s China and Taiwan; winters to Indonesia and Australia) Has a
dark iris compared with adult Horsfield’s Cuckoo and is larger in size.
- Horsfield’s Cuckoo - Cuculus horsfieldi (Russia to Siberia, n China,
Korea, Japan; winters to n Australia) Formaly a ssp of Oriental Cuckoo. Can
only identified by size and call and has a light iris.
Thanx, Justin Jansen, The Netherlands
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
DISCLAIMER:This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system
manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are
solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the
School. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments
for the presence of viruses. The School accepts no liability for any damage
caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
