My understanding is that the Fan-tailed Cuckoo is a partial migrant, and in
this part of NSW there are always some that overwinter. They are probably
the least migratory of the cuckoos where I live in the Blue Mountains.
However, at least some of them do migrate and I see them passing through
with other migrants during spring and autumn. Where they are less in
evidence during winter I think this is most likely due to a combination of
lower numbers and less calling by those still present. I'm sure this has
been discussed recently but I imagine that in Victoria there would be far
fewer birds overwintering than in central NSW.
To answer Marian's question, their best-known call is a far-carrying
downward trill - a mournful but very common sound of summer in many areas.
They also have a range of other mournful whistles and when heard in chorus
these create a very strange and eerie effect.
Cheers
Carol
Carol Probets
Katoomba
Blue Mountains NSW
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