No idea

4 posts / 0 new
Last post
David
David's picture
No idea

Okay, you experts out there. Is there a bird in the Wide Bay Burnett area that could be confused with a black faced cuckoo shrike that has joined WeightWatchers; doesn't shuffle its wings on landing and prefers to travel in small groups, presumably to qualify for the discount? I have tried searching but still can't find a match. I keep seeing other birds as well that aren't on any search databases but this bifcus look-alike is appearing more frequently. Incidentally, there are black faced cuckoo shrikes here as well and their behaviour is as expected.
David

DenisWilson
DenisWilson's picture

Hi David
Not sure if your bird has joined Weight Watchers, or need to do so.
If it is a bird of very tall treetops, then consider the Cicada Bird, which is a Cuckooshrike in everything but name. Very different call, however - hence the name.
Cheers
Denis

David
David's picture

Thanks, Denis. I am unable to find a decent photo of the cicada bird but what I did find doesn't quite fit and the descriptors don't quite tally either. These birds are silver with a black mask and, at first glance, would simply be dismissed as a bifcus. The only slight difference is that they appear to be more streamlined, more svelte. I can't see anything else about them to make them more notable. I would rule on them as being bifcus except for the behavioural differences e.g. not shuffling the wings and always in company of five or more birds. They are also a little more active and don't tend to sit for very long contemplating what they should do next.
This place abounds in birds I can't identify or don't act like the same birds I was used to seeing in the tropics. Even the willy wagtail does it differently here. Strange.
David

bushanwater
bushanwater's picture

I'm in the wide bay area and my only suggestion is a masked woodswallow. A smaller bird but not slim. Suggest you get your hands on a field guide, the local library (if there is one near you) should have one.

See Yez
Trev

 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube