I'm not usually a bird watcher, but this was something I've never seen before.
So thought others might be interested in checking this out.
For the last 3 days, we've been watching what appears to be a young female Koel being fed by some (considerably smaller) magpies.
Never knew anything about the cuckoo family until I started investigating this.
But managed to get this shot as it was being fed.
It's a damn noisy bird, so most of the neighbours come out to watch the sight as soon as the bird starts calling, as it's not something that you would usually see in a suburban streetscape.
For those wanting to check it out - the bird usually sits out on the power poles between 29-33 Serpentine Cres in North Balgowlah (Sydney)
You can download a short flv video from here
http://www.boltdj.com/koel.flv
Welcome to the wonderful world of birds, richard. I reckon that koel (a species Sydney folk have much greater experience of than I) is the foster child of that magpie, having been born from an egg laid in the mapgie's nest.
By the way, it's amazing what will turn up in a suburban area given the appropriate habitat.
What an amazing pic. We get the Koels here but I've never seen one being fed by another bird.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Hi Richard, that is one great photo!
M-L
I just jumped on to brag about discovering a similar situation in the nature strip just behind my house (Maitland area - north of Newcastle), and found your post! I had to investigate the strange constant cry over my back fence, as although it sounded quite like a puppy, I guessed it was a baby bird of some kind. I hopped over to investigate (with my binoculars, of course) and the cries led me to this brilliant bronze beauty (which I soon discovered was the common Koel) up in the branches. I also noticed a Noisy Friarbird (not quite as noisy as the baby Koel) getting accosted by some Noisy Miners, and soon witnessed said Friarbird feeding the Koel. The poor Friarbird was having a hard time of it; backwards and forwards trying to feed this insatiable baby while warding off constant attacks from the Miners. She was still at it when I gave up and headed off. I've been listening out for the cry again today as I was hoping for a pic, but no luck yet. Good on you for getting that pic!
Hmmm,
that photo is great - but looks like a mummy Pied Currawong feeding a juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoo (the CBC is a natural brood parasite of the Pied Currawong). The juvenile's bill gives it away....
Cas
You're absolutely correct Cas.
We sent it to the local newspaper who ran the photo and story a few months back
They sent it off to Taronga zoo, who had them identify the birds you've mentioned
You're absolutely correct Cas.
We sent it to the local newspaper who ran the photo and story a few months back
They sent it off to Taronga zoo, who had them identify the birds you've mentioned