What bird did I just see? ID please...

[Finchy]

I just saw this up in a gumtree on the Sydney coast:

- Large. About the size of a big Magpie, but a longer slimmer build.
- Light grey on the underside.
- Long grey beak with a pronounced hook on the end.
- Red eye patch.

Can't find it in my Aussie bird book.

[arthur]

Not a white winged chough??

They have red eyes rather than a red eye patch

And a curved rather than a hooked beak

And are not located around Sydney according to my books




The more I write the less it sounds like the WWC

Distinct whistling call would identify them

[Tiaris]

Channel-billed Cuckoo.

[Finchy]

Thank you Arthur...but I think Tiaris wins the prize today! Yep, the Channel-billed Cuckoo looks like what I saw. It also explains the racket.

Thanks peeps

[arthur]

Arthur will have to learn to read . .

No mention of black in your description but WWC is BLACK

And CBC is GREY

[SamDavis]

We usually have a few young Channel Billed Cuckoos about - haven't seen any this season. They really make an irritating sounds when fledged and begging for food. I think the foster parents just feed them so they'll shut up and give everyone some peace and quiet.