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Fan-tailed CuckooAlternative names: "Ash-coloured Cuckoo", "Stormbird*" Size: 25-27 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Fan-tailed Cuckoos migrate to Australia from the north, along the Torres Strait and the eastern half of Cape York, down the east coast. They populate an area about half the width of NSW and all of VIC, processing further west through coastal SA to at least the Eyre Peninsula. There is also a breeding population in the south-western corner of the continent and it is surmised (but not firmly established) that these birds reach the south-west by crossing the Nullarbor along the south coast. They also cross the Bass Strait to populate all of Tasmania.
Fan-tailed Cuckoos can usually be found in forest and more open woodland.
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Sightings |
A Fan-tailed Cuckoo was first spotted by us south of Maules Creek, NSW, in October 2006. Further sightings followed on the western fringes of Mt. Kaputar National Park, 30 km east of Narrabri. First spotted there in April 2008, then again in early August 2008 (i.e. in wintertime).
While the above sightings occurred in bushland, near creek beds, the vegetation was very sparse 20 km east of Narrabri, where we saw a Fan-tailed Cuckoo in February 2009.
Also spotted by us in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009. Special access to the wetlands kindly granted by the owners of Capricorn Resort is most gratefully acknowledged.
A Fan-tailed Cuckoo's call for a mate can carry over more than half a kilometre.
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Photos |
Male Fan-tailed Cuckoo in shady undergrowth; note the rich
rufous colour, which makes it very similar to a Chestnut-breasted
Cuckoo, while Brush
Cuckoos are much paler
Male Fan-tailed Cuckoo with the sunlight falling in from behind;
this individual is very brownish-orange again
Note how much paler the colouring of this bird is compared
to the one above
Different view of the same bird as above
Female Fan-tailed Cuckoo; apart from the difference in
sunlight, which makes it appear paler than the male shown
above, it is still clear that its colours are much paler
than the male's 
Slightly different view of the same female Fan-tailed
Cuckoo as above
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Migratory/dispersive | Elementary unit: Solitary/pair |
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Food |
Like most other cuckoos, Fan-tailed Cuckoos are insect hunters. They take their prey from foliage and from the ground.
