Channel-billed Cuckoo hosts

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Mick Atzeni
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:08 pm

Channel-billed Cuckoo hosts

Post by Mick Atzeni »

On 2 January, TBO member Alison James emailed to she and her husband Chris had seen a Channel-billed Cuckoo (CBC) in the grounds of Ramsay School being fed by a Pied Currawong.

Whilst I see the field guides mention larger species like magpies, currawongs and crows are parasitised by CBCs, personally, I have only ever witnessed Torresian Crows playing host, so had been under the misconception they (and other corvids) were the only species targeted, and capable of rearing such monstrous "offspring" - until I received Alison's email.

It has since occurred to me that perhaps the local magpies here at Tiddalac were parasitised by CBCs the previous breeding season as I was surprised I never saw any young magpies around the yard, whereas this breeding season they were very much in evidence.

Be interested to hear what CBC hosts others have observed locally.

Cheers,

Mick
Michael Atzeni
7 Woden St, Murphys Creek 4352
Mob: 0499 395 485
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