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Little Bronze-CuckooSize: 14-15 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Little Bronze-Cuckoos migrate to Australia from the north, populating primarily two areas of the continent: The south QLD coast and NSW far-north coast on the east side and the Kimberleys in WA and north-western corner of the NT (e.g. Litchfield National Park) and extreme top end of the NT on the west side. In between these two areas they are only observed occasionally, probably because hard to spot when they come to the continent via the Torres Strait and along Cape York.
Little Bronze-Cuckoos can usually be found in dense woodland, forests and mangroves. Like other small cuckoos they are very inconspicuous when hidden in the foliage of trees.
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Twitcher's tip |
Note that Little Bronze-Cuckoos can hybridise with Gould's Bronze-Cuckoo [Chalcites (Chrysococcyx) minutillus russatus], which we have not observed yet. As the name says, male Gould's Bronze-Cuckoos have a russet-brown back, whereas the Little Bronze-Cuckoo males' back is dark-green.
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Sightings |
A Little Bronze-Cuckoo was first 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.
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Photos |
Little Bronze-Cuckoo in dense bushland (photo obtained in the wetlands of Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, in July 2009; see credits page for details)
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Migratory | Elementary unit: Solitary/pair |
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Food |
Like most other cuckoos, Little Bronze-Cuckoos are insect hunters. They take their prey from foliage and from the ground.
