Blue headed/orange bellied bird seen in Warrandyte (Solved/Indentified: Fan-Tailed Cuckoo)

5 posts / 0 new
Last post
bluesparks
bluesparks's picture
Blue headed/orange bellied bird seen in Warrandyte (Solved/Indentified: Fan-Tailed Cuckoo)

Hi everyone,

EDIT: (I have just realised it can't have been one of those Flycatchers, as now I think about it they are so so tiny now that I'm remembering them. I have seen many of them and this was definitely a larger bird, wasn't as tiny as those guys. Am even more baffled now!).

First post, hopefully this is a reasonable question here as it's area specific. If there's a better/more specific place to ask this question feel free to let me know.

So around a month ago, I was in Warrandyte for one of my many walks, this time at Fourth Hill. We had arrived back in the carpark of Fourth Hill after walking and were watching the birds that were in the trees/bush along the stream there.

I knew all the various birds I saw during my time there by name/sight, but that day, sitting on a branch over the water was a bird I know I had never seen before.

It had a blue head (which I thought was the crown/very top only, but I viewed it only from the front) and am certain an orangey colour on the top of the chest/under the chin. I remember thinking it was about the size and shape (roughly) of a Red Wattlebird. 

Unfortunately we were unable to get a photo, as there were children heading towards the bird and it flew away. 

I got home and went to my bird ID book and by the colour illustrations the only birds which looked anything like it (colour wise) are the Female Leaden Flycatcher, female Satin Flycatcher, female Broad-billed Flycatcher, or Rufous-banded Honeyeater. 

When I look at Google images of the Female Leaden Flycatcher or Satin Flycatcher, the bird looks quite a bit smaller than what I remember seeing. 

What I saw, I thought, was more between that size and a Red Wattlebird. I remember thinking it must be a sort of honeyeater, but I'm not an expert clearly.

However I can't find any other birds in my ID book which have that colouring AND live around Melbourne.

Was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what bird it may be, or if this was almost certainly a Female Satin/Leaden Flycatcher and the bird was just a bit bigger in my mind.

x

soakes
soakes's picture

It sounds like a kingfisher

soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia

bluesparks
bluesparks's picture

No definitely not a kingfisher. Would know one of them instantly. Thanks anyway though.

pip-lb
pip-lb's picture

I walk in Warrandyte occasionally. If not a sacred kingfisher it could perhaps be a fan-tailed cuckoo? They turn up in the area from time to time, probably about the right size.  

bluesparks
bluesparks's picture

pip-lb wrote:

I walk in Warrandyte occasionally. If not a sacred kingfisher it could perhaps be a fan-tailed cuckoo? They turn up in the area from time to time, probably about the right size.  

Yes! Just looked the Fan-tailed Cuckoo up and that is definitely the bird I saw. Thank you very much :)

 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube