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Channel-billed Cuckoo |
Sightings
We live on the margins of Channel-billed Cuckoos' habitat. In early October 2005 one bird flew a full circle above the house where we lived, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales, and then disappeared before we could get a camera. However, the identification of the bird is certain. Seen in the same year in the Warrumbungle National Park, 30 km west of Coonabarabran. Spotted again in November 2006, 20 km east of Narrabri, where at least two pairs of Channel-billed Cuckoos lived. After their winter migration to the north, Channel-billed Cuckoos reappeared in September 2007.
Photos
Lateral view of a Channel-billed Cuckoo; note the "beard" and the fluffy leg feathers (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Channel-billed Cuckoo (click on image for larger version)
Same bird as above; slightly different posture (click on image for larger version)
Channel-billed Cuckoo being hassled by a Magpie-lark (click on image for larger version)
Here a Channel-billed Cuckoo in flight
Habits
One of the few diurnal bird species that we have found to also be active at night, especially near full moon.