23 November 2011

Channel-Billed Cuckoo

Having migrated from New Guinea and Indonesia, between August and October, the Channel-Billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae,  makes itself evident by a loud, raucous, and to me, a somewhat eerie scream-like call.   Often heard at night also.   Birds in Backyards informs that this is the largest parasitic cuckoo in the world; you can listen to an MP3 on their link.

It was just this alert, that had me out the back door with my camera recently to try and get a photo for World Bird Wednesday. The cuckoo was way high in this huge angophora, showing its lovely peeling bark at this time of year; looking glorious and revealing all the rustic tones in the process.


There was an ever increasing mob of Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala, causing chaos and wanting the cuckoo 'out' of there.

Photo of Noisy Miners taken in differing location.

From a distance I could only try and see if I'd be lucky enough to capture the cuckoo seemingly hidden in part, by the network of branches and  foliage.  I'm sure he was watching me, and being determined not to budge and make it a better shoot.  As I'd look up into that tree to sus out which crop of foliage he was inside of first, aiming the camera and then trying to relocate to kind of where I felt he was, wasn't so easy.

In the end it was just do it, and hope for the best.

Now if I could just pull away that foliage hanging in front of your face.....


Ah!  That's better but not quite there; your tail .....


This one was in my archive folders, a channel-billed cuckoo in the very same tree.


Birds in Backyards informs also that, "this cuckoo lays its eggs in the nests of the Australian Magpie, the Pied Currawong, and members of the Crow family".



for

16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

that is almost a blood-curdling cry/scream! not something i'd want to hear in the middle of the night! i'll stick with my barred owls, thanks! :)

mick said...

The only bird that is just about as annoying is the Koel which also migrates down this way at this time of year. Especially annoying if it sits outside my bedroom window at night!! All great photos but the angophora is especially beautiful.

Carole M. said...

the Koel is here too at the moment Mick; their call also is very 'identifiable' and unusual, I would say.

Brian King said...

Cool looking bird and that's a very cool looking tree! Nice job getting the shots, Carole!

holdingmoments said...

Fascinating bird.
And what a sound he makes!

eileeninmd said...

Cool birds, I wouldn't mind the sounds as long as they do not continue all day long. Thanks for sharing your birds.

Liz said...

I hate it when the hide behind the foliage!!
Great shot!

Unknown said...

Great bird!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Jan Castle said...

Birds seem to love to hide just when you are ready to 'snap' the picture!!! Still, very interesting shots of a bird I have never seen before...really enjoyed your tour (as always - it's like a mini travel show...thanks!)
Jan

Springman said...

"Having migrated from New Guinea and Indonesia..."
Now thats the way to start a blog post! It's great to get a look at the Channel billed Cuckoo high in the angophora. We need to get you a 400mm lens Carole!
Cheers!

Carole M. said...

goodness 400 mm; that sounds like really serious equipment Springman. Giving me some keen direction; I wonder if there is one for that model camera I have still? Will look it up.

Pat said...

That's a lovely tree! The Cuckoo really knows how to take advantage of the foliage for cover. Nice shots.

Rambling Woods said...

Parasitic like our brown headed cowbird ... we have been frustrated trying to get a good bird shot.. my hawk post demonstrates that challenge.. but I love seeing birds in other countries from my US

Nature Rambles said...

Lovely post! And I loved going through your images. although the bird is said to be common in our country too, I've never been able to photograph them.

Michelle said...

We all have our noisy birds I guess...love seeing your birds as so different from mine...

Judy said...

A very heavy bill! Doesn't quite seem real! But the birds must need the, or they would not be there...