Possible pallid cuckoo, Wellington

[Colin Miskelly]

Hi all

I took a call this afternoon from a gentleman who thought he had seen and heard a pallid cuckoo in Miramar (Ira St) early this morning. He identified from the Reader's Digest book of NZ birds, but his description of a 2-note call doesn't fit. It flew away, but I intend phoning him back to see if he hears it again.

Cheers
Colin

[Colin Miskelly]

The bird has not returned (yet), but I have quizzed the observer a bit more.

He heard the bird first, then saw it from 3 metres away after opening a gate to find the source of the loud call (a 2-note, clear "cuck-oo" repeated). About the size of a blackbird, but with smaller head. Grey on back with whitish edges to feathers, long tailed. It hopped along the fence, then flew away to the east, where it could be heard calling again. Call louder than a blackbird.

It is probably somewhere in Wellington. It is a shame that NZ Birds Online isn't up and running yet to allow reports of odd birds from non-birders to be received.

[igor]

I took a walk round the area this morning before the rain set in but didn't see or hear anything unusual, though it was quite windy.