Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Image ID 53579)
Photographed byMichael Hamel-Green on Thu 22nd Sep, 2022 and uploaded on Fri 30th Sep, 2022 .
Resolution1063x1600
Viewed305
ID53579
CommentOn a brief visit to the Crusoe Reservoir on the outskirts of Bendigo, it was a pleasure to encounter both a variety of honeyeaters and this Fan-tailed Cuckoo, most probably a female from its quite pale rufous throat and very faint barring on its breast. Their distinctive Fan-tail yellow orbital ring is very prominent in the photo. Of course, this one’s cuckolding intentions would probably be rather less appreciated by local potential hosts, especially the flycatchers, fairy-wrens, scrub-wrens and thornbills busy with spring nest-building in the vicinity. But perhaps Fan-tails’ unconventional offspring-raising is redeemed ecologically by their predilection for the kinds of hairy caterpillars and sawflies that do so much damage to trees and crops; and by their beautiful calls and trills. Apparently females are somewhat less vocal than males, so, in this case, I only saw, but did not hear, my first Fan-tailed Cuckoo of Spring.
EquipmentNikon Z7ii Nikkor 500mm PF f5.6 TC1.4
700mm
ISO 2200
1/1000th f8
LocationCrusoe Reservoir, Bendigo, Victoria
Keywordsfemale, adult
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