Help please!!

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EcoMatt
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Help please!!

Photographed these birds in Kilaben Bay in Lake Macquarie. There were three in open bushland. Any help appreciated

sue818
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Do you have any other pictures especially a profile shot? There are a number of features evident (white-tipped tail, barring, dark eye stripe) but the rufous colour is proving difficult. Also if you could give an idea of size say in comparison to another bird, it would help. I have a few ideas but the best I could say at the moment is that I do not think they are adults. However, I could be wrong and someone may know them immediately

Sue

EcoMatt
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Hi Sue,

The bird were quite high up, this might be the only other quality photo i have the shows more features. The birds may be between 30-40cm, looked quite a larger than a pigeon.

sue818
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I think that they are juvenile/immature Channel-billed Cuckoos. Although I have seen plenty of adults, the young are new to me. However the pictures fit the guide books quite well. The final picture shows the buff edges to the wing coverts and the patterning is right. They are quite a large bird but size can be deceptive without a comparison bird.

Someone else might care to confirm.

Well done

Sue

EcoMatt
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The angle of my photographs may not be able to show the size of the bill, but from memory the bill and the bird were both quite large. The call sounds of this species also sound very similar to what i heard.

Thanks for your help Sue, much appreciated

sue818
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I forgot to say why I ruled out juvenile Eastern Koels which are similar. There is no dark eye stripe through the eye and down to the shoulder.

Sue

timmo
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Yep, I agree with Sue.

There is virtually nothing else they could be but Channel-billed Cuckoos.

Cheers
Tim
Brisbane

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