I am no expert, and I value the discussion on this forum, and as such issue a challenge to all you birders out there.
We were asked to transport this little pretty to a carer. I assessed it as having nothing wrong (obvious anyway). It is apparently very young, was found near Huonville, south of Hobart. It was able to perch (as seen in photo 2) and but did not try to spread it's wings and fly. Was very calm and cooperative. A rough guide for size is my hand and watch, about the size of blackbird.
Was told it was a very young Hawk, but I did not think that ID fitted, so I post here for ideas. Sam took it to the Raptor Refuge at Kettering south of Hobart as directed, they just confirmed NOT A BOP.
They were not able to give a firm ID, but suggest a Grey Shrike Thrush, confirmation or other suggestions please!
By the way, the Raptor Refuge produce a beautiful calendar each year, $10 funds to rescue, rehab and release of raptors visit their store at www.raptorrefuge.com.au
My first impression was a cuckoo of some type, though being a juvenile makes any ID a bit more difficult.
The beak doesn't look quite right to me for a Grey Shrike-Thrush.
There does appear to be some pattern coming (or going...) on the upper breast.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Just guessing Brush Cuckoo.
Thought the beak was the right shape.
Cheers Beef.
Biby guide says not present in Tas for the brush cuckoo.
So i'm not sure.
Cheers Beef.
The feathers on the back seem to turn black or dark grey, the beak does look to me like a Thrush, or even a Blackbird, but the bird is too big. Like Beef I'm also tempted to say Cuckoo because it also has a yellow ring around the eye.Hope someone will know. Good luck for the bird.
M-L
Created some interest, that's good. Had not thought of a Cuckoo, but seems to fit. Apparently talking to Sam who picked the bird up, some of the tail feathers fell out. So now Cuckoos in Tassie that vaguely fitmthe description - Pallid and Fantailed, the others are all the wrong colour. The white on the leading edge of the wing looks like a juvenile Fantail, but some pictures also show this with the Pallid. Have included another photo, which shows more clearly the head and leading edge of the wing. Thanks for your thoughts so far, still may be someone with a more positive ID. From all accounts the little one should do well, a little TLC, and rehab.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I am not a Cuckoo expert but believe that it is a young Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
Does this mean that the carers are foster-foster parents
Peter
In recent weeks, there's been two other ID requests for birds looking very similar to this one. I think all have been juvenile Fan-tailed Cuckoo. In this case, being in Tassie certainly helps rule out Brush Cuckoo.
Cheers, Steve
I would guess young cuckoos are more likely to be found as fledglings, if the foster parents "realise" it's not one of their young and abandon it. Though there are a lot of assumptions there which may be totally unfounded.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Thanks to all, a young Fantail Cuckoo it is then. Originally did not even look at Cuckoos, new they were here, but never seen one before. Now that I think of it I did pick up a very similar looking bird about 2 months ago, hit by a car, unfortunately it did not survive, so I did not post photos, but the story fits - fledgling Cuckoo evicted by it's first foster parent, looking for a new home!
This one will have a new foster-foster family, as Pacman suggested
Dale Huonville, Tasmania