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Oriental Cuckoo?

Oriental Cuckoo?

Is this an Oriental or a Eurasian Cuckoo? The breast bars seem quite fine.



Photos taken on Po Toi, Wednesday 4th April. I did not see the bird today.

[ Last edited by wgeoff at 18/08/2010 17:30 ]

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This is (was!) a Common Cuckoo.  The very narrow bars which are of similar width across the entire underparts, and the rather pale head and breast eliminate Oriental, Lesser and Horsfield's.

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Cuckoo head shades

I've seen Oriental Cuckoo (singing) with head clearly paler than mantle/wings.

Indeed, came to believe this was a useful identification feature - till I saw one on migration (Happy Island) - saw head clearly paler than dark looking wings/mantle, thought "Oriental": and it started singing. (Oops!)


"oriental cuckoo" shot from Taiwan showing pale head:
http://flickr.com/groups/taiwanbird/discuss/72057594094686938/

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Thanks for the ID Paul.

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