NZ Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' regular visitors to SE Queensland

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Michael Szabo
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NZ Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' regular visitors to SE Queensland

Postby Michael Szabo » Mon Feb 17, 2020 7:34 pm

New Zealand Shining Bronze-Cuckoos 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' are regular visitors to Southeast Queensland

Sunbird: Journal of the Queensland Ornithological Society, The
Volume 48 (2019) - Noske, Richard

Abstract: Formerly considered a rare migrant to Australia, the New Zealand-breeding Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites l. lucidus' is shown to be a regular visitor to Southeast Queensland, mainly during March-April and September-October, coinciding with its presumed passage migration to and from known wintering grounds in northern Melanesia. Several records in June and July suggest that some birds may over-winter in Australia. Almost all records pertain to males, as all but the most recent of field guides fail to mention the marked sexual dimorphism of this subspecies, in which females resemble Australian-breeding 'plagosus'. For this reason, and the likelihood that it rarely vocalises in Australia, 'lucidus' may be much commoner than indicated by records to date. Birders are urged to carefully scrutinise, and if possible, photograph Shining Bronze-Cuckoos, to gain a better understanding of the status of this bird, **which may well be "split" in the future**.

Link: https://search.informit.com.au/document ... res=IELHSS
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Jan
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Re: NZ Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' regular visitors to SE Queensland

Postby Jan » Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:10 pm

Is this about our Shining Cuckoo? maybe the Genus has changed, ok. What is the marked 'sexual dimorphism' all about? Brian Gill says in NZbirdsonline.org.nz that sexes are similar. Juvs are different, so are the bods in Queensland mistaking juvs for females? If they only find males, does it mean they only find adults? Maybe it's just me, and I'm reading the article completely wrongly......
Ian Southey
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Re: NZ Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' regular visitors to SE Queensland

Postby Ian Southey » Sat Feb 22, 2020 9:45 am

Jan

I think there are some with green crowns and others with bronzy brown crowns that may be male and female (from Oliver)- not always easy to know given the way they are often seen and the reflections off the plumage.

Ian

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Re: NZ Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' regular visitors to SE Queensland

Postby Nakilad » Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:45 am

In August last year I was in Royal National Park, Sydney and I was sure I heard a shining cuckoo. I'm not familiar with Australian cuckoos so I checked the guidebook and based on the description of calls and the differences I was pretty sure of my ID. After reading this I'm not so sure. Is it more likely that I heard a different species?
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Michael Szabo
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Re: NZ Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites lucidus lucidus' regular visitors to SE Queensland

Postby Michael Szabo » Sat Feb 22, 2020 11:19 am

More information and photos in this post: https://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com ... EXSHvTEoBE
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