13 |
Horsfield's Bronze-CuckooAlternative name: "Narrow-billed Bronze-Cuckoo" |
Sightings
We have had a few sightings of Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos, first at the farm where we lived until 2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales, in 2004. In October 2005 there was another one.
Starting in September 2007, a Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo declared the trees around our house 20 km east of Narrabri its home for the breeding season. After their summer migration, a Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo returned to our area in early October 2008. Also seen a bit further to the east, in the foothills of the Nandewar Range, 30 km east of Narrabri. Seen again in the 2009/10 breeding season.
Photos
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo feeding on our lawn
The same bird as above, seen from behind; note the greenish reflection
Frontal view of a male Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
When a female arrived, he (left) got all excited (click on image for larger version)
He pulled all the stops to impress her (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a female Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
Lateral view of a female Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo (click on image for full-size display)
Habits
One of the few diurnal bird species that we have found to also be active at night, especially near full moon.
Together with other birds marking the boundaries of their territory by calling from vantage points, we noticed that the local Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos were quiet for two days during a late cold snap in late October 2008.