Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

General birdwatching discussion, help with bird identification, and all other things relating to wild birds and birding in NZ that don't fit in one of the other forums.
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melissab
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby melissab » Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:11 pm

It was caught by a cat, which may explain the missing tail feathers. From what I know it was taken for care straight away so it's poor condition may have lead to it being vulnerable.
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Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Neil Fitzgerald » Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 pm

Thanks Melissa.
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Steve Wood
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Steve Wood » Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:13 pm

Don’t you just love those cats!
Paul Gibson
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Paul Gibson » Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:28 pm

It is being arranged that I release the cuckoo here locally in Wanganui, but final details are yet to be decided. We are thinking about mid-morning on Thursday (Jan 10) but I am to firm up details this evening with the Bird Rescue lady. Once release plans are settled I will post again.
Paul Gibson
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Paul Gibson » Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:24 pm

I have just spoken with Dawne at Bird Rescue. The bird's release is planned for Thursday morning at 10 am. I suggest anyone who wants to be present meet me outside the Upokongaro Cafe (location of the night herons - 10 km upriver from Whanganui City) at 9.45 am and the release will be at a place nearby. My contact phone number is 021 024 22451 should you have any questions..
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Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Neil Fitzgerald » Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:55 am

Nice one organising that, Paul. Sounds like a good plan. Much better than Northland.
Paul Gibson
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Paul Gibson » Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm

The cuckoo was successfully released this morning, near Whanganui, and 10 birders were present to enjoy the occasion. The bird immediately flew some 50 metres away, stopped briefly in a pine, before moving to another further away, but where we could still observe it. It did not move again during the following hour, but interesting to note the commotion from the other birds present, especially the chaffinches. Cuckoos certainly get a hard time from all other birds. All present were very happy with the outcome, and chance to see such a rare bird.
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Joanna10
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Joanna10 » Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:43 pm

Oscar Thomas wrote:https://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7976 This sighting seems a lot more credible now...

Hello
Yes I agree with Oscar as I interviewed the person who made the sighting near Greytown (not far from Akatarawa as the cuckoo flies!). She was most credible but without photographic evidence it's hard to be convincing.
She showed me where it was perched when sighted, which was a railing in a veg garden, so the story that a cat had caught it was not surprising.
Hope it does well now that it has been released.
Joanna
Colin Miskelly
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Colin Miskelly » Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:48 pm

The record of an oriental cuckoo from Greytown in October 2018 has been accepted by the Birds New Zealand Records Appraisal Committee - see:

http://rare.birds.org.nz/

Nga mihi
Colin
Joanna10
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Re: Oriental Cuckoo in Whanganui Bird Rescue

Postby Joanna10 » Mon Jan 14, 2019 10:21 pm

Thanks for letting me know Colin - that's great.
~Joanna

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