The Koels are brood parasites, laying eggs in the nests of other bird species. Adults are usually rather shy and heard more than seen. The reason why there are so many Cuckoos posted in this Spring Parade, is because they don't even yearly show in the backyard for their few minutes of speed parading! So, Anon is over doing their exposure because it will be a long time before these parasites visit again AND she might not even notice! I'm just the commentator ... Jack
1 year ago
27 comments:
I'm not apologising for all the Cuckoos! :)
Wow, we have loads of birds here (Sydney's North West) but I've never seen one of these ..
Hi Baino, welcome! It's a rare sighting, but now's the time to look out for them :) You're actually lucky to not have seen one, they kick out other bird's eggs and replace them with their own - soon to fly away again. It's like using Australian birds as their baby sitters!
Them cuckoos should build their own nests. I've built a nest but it dos'nt look like it's eggs I've layed in it.
I shudder to think what's been pushed into your nest Mr Totties!
I've got photos if you want to see.
Mr Totties, if I shudder to 'think', WHY would I want to see photographic evidence?
*vomit*
Some people just don't appreciate high art, and you're one of them!
My bus is leaving without me again, I better go.
I think you are talking shit! HAHHAAAA *vomit*
Then I won't say "Take a hike", or "Get on yer bike", Mr Totties!
Geeze they are gorgeous....Well spotted and captured Anon!
Shame they don't sound as nice as they look Lavender :) I heard a male this morning but houses away ...
What wonderful markings! That one shot is directly in range of getting your camera "decorated" tootie style! :) Can you imagine the nesting mom whose eggs all hatch and one of those cuckoos is staring back at her.
HAHHAA, that was my last shot Melissa ... trying to creep closer unnoticed :) Unfortunately, adopted siblings in the same nest that weren't kicked out as an egg by Mrs Cuckoo - are either pushed out as chicks or an egg by the Cuckoo baby!
i can't imagine using another bird's nest. does this create flying feathers or squacky beaks?
(these birds are so beautiful. i'm on the lookout for a coat, even though i don't need one...)
You may wish to post it on another blog. But I have a challenge for you. Cuz I know the Aussies have movies and music we self-absorbed Yanks never even heard of...
Mutating Gene Meme!
Cuckoos are parasites indeed! The cuckoo hen watches other birds as they build their nest and then lays her own egg after the foster bird has laid hers, takes the foster bird's egg and swallows or drops it. It's ridiculous to see the small foster parents like little warblers or titmouse feeding an immense young cuckoo. The young bird has a strong insticnt to rid itself of siblings that it will push the other eggs off the nest. It was amazing to watch National Geographic film the episode. I know it is nature's way but I was really upset by the offensive behaviour of the cuckoos, if they are humans, they would be labeled criminals.
There are plenty of parents who drop their kids off to be raised by others KJ! The Cuckoos are very sneaky about it :)
Thanks Catnapping, I'll go see soon!
Hhhehheheee, Ces is a Cuckoo expert! Agree, if they tried leaving their eggs here I would have done something about it!
Kept awake all night by a ringtail possum kicking out of the bedroom fireplace ... so won't be around too much today .... until awake!
We have birds here called cow birds, that lay there eggs in other's nests. They don't kick out the other eggs, and they aren't very big, but they are they only ones taking baths in the spring when all the other birds are busy hatching and feeding their own young and maybe an extra one or two.
Your cow birds are birds of leisure Red Mojo! They don’t even migrate but stay to show off about their trouble-free lifestyle!!!
We have Channel Beaked Cuckoos, they're friggin enormous. Once watched a pair of Kurawongs raise a chick to adulthood and it was three times their size poor things, they never noticed.
The Channel-billed Cuckoos ARE enormous Baino! I've only seen them passing once and have an average size of 62cm!!! I bet you noticed the chick's squawking though ;)
Watch-out for the bird booty when shooting from beneath, Anon! Never know what little treasures they might toss your way.
The birds respect me too much Perriette ... respect works two ways ...
They have a bird here called the cowbird... looks like an ugly grey blackbird sort - nothing fancy at all. They practice the art of laying eggs in all the neighbor's nests, and then flying happily off without having to deal with the burden of childrearing. Their babies hatch larger than the native nestlings, and as they grow will push the other babies out of the nest to their death, ensuring their own survival. They aren't pretty, nor popular. But nobody can do a thing about it :)
Oops - I just read Red Mojo - yeah!
TsDuff, either you or Red Mojo will have to do a post about your Cowbirds! I'm visualising ugly grey cows with wings who practise the artform of bad parenting. Wonder how many humans stole that idea ... :)
Anon! Watch for Fledglings now! We had a juvy here today - like the female but buff instead of black all over - still being fed by two Red Wattle Birds - the poor things!!!
I went out to investigate the call, a very non-descript but insistent kee-kee-kee-kee, etc :)
Hope your flu is gone now!
Will do Lavender! Will keep my eyes and ears open :) Poor Red Wattles! Flu has made a final comeback but expect it to be banished by end of week...
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