22 |
Ground Cuckoo-shrike |
Sightings
We spotted Ground Cuckoo-shrikes 20 km south-west of Narrabri, New South Wales, in May 2006. They stayed in roadside casuarina trees as a family of four, cuddling up to each other when not flying around exchanging calls continually. Easily approachable, at least as long as they were up in the trees. Seen in one location one day and 4 km further 2 days later.
Seen again in July 2007, 10 km west of Narrabri.
Next sighted 20 km east of Narrabri in May 2008, where a family of 5 was foraging in a paddock.
Photos
Family of four Ground Cuckoo-shrikes in a Casuarina tree (click on image for larger version)
Three of the four Ground Cuckoo-shrikes above, the on on the left calling the fourth while it was flying around (click on image for larger version)
Now only two remain... (click on image for larger version)
Although partly obscured, here one can see the pronounced spread of the forked tail into two fans when landing (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a Ground Cuckoo-shrike on a paddock (click on image for full-size display)
View from behind of a Ground Cuckoo-shrike