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Hi Birds,
Christine queried whether it was too
late for Koels, believing thay most should have migrated northwards by now.
However there are normally still juvenile Koels in NSW throughout March,
although most Koels, both adults and juveniles have departed. They are
still being reported from the NSW Central Coast at present.
I would also like to comment about
the alleged sighting of a Long-tailed Cuckoo at Maianbar, near Royal NP in NSW.
As yet there are no confirmed records for Long-tailed Cuckoos in NSW although I
suppose it has to happen. As the birds move between New Zealand and the Solomon
Islands & New Guinea, you would think that at least one should be blown onto
the NSW coast in one of the Tropical Lows that we have recently experienced.
Confusion between immature Koels with their rufous and buff-coloured heads and
juvenile and adult Long-tailed Cuckoos could be expected. I have not seen the
latter but HANZAB shows that the breast of both adult and juvenile LTC are are
white or buff, with dark streaks while the breasts of female and juvenile Koels
are pale or buff with dark scalloped markings. Note that in HANZAB, a
rufous crowned female is also illustrated so that not all females have black
heads!
The Birds Australia Rrecords
Committee would welcome any submissions on possible Long-tailed Cuckoo
sightings!
Alan Morris
Birding NSW Records
Officer
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