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Channel-billed Cuckoo: Regular as Clockwork
© J.N. Davies
Of the dozen or so species of cuckoos that occur in Australia, the Channel-billed Cuckoo is the largest. Being a cuckoo, it likes to lay its eggs in the nest of another bird, and being a large cuckoo, it must lay its eggs in the nest of another large bird. The species usually chosen as foster parents are Pied Currawongs, Australian Magpies, crows and ravens, although occasionally eggs are laid in the mud-nests of White-winged Choughs or Magpie-larks, and very occasionally in the nests of birds of prey. The eggs are said to appear rather similar to those of the Currawong and Magpie, but not ravens.
The population of Channel-billed Cuckoos in eastern Australia appears to have increased in recent years. This is related to a change in the occurrence of Pied Currawongs in the lowlands. Currawongs formerly bred mainly in the hills in spring and summer, and were only a winter visitor to the lowlands; now they occur in the lowlands throughout the year, and breed there, coinciding with the timing of when Cuckoos are on the lookout for a nest to parasitise, and providing them with many more options.
Channel-billed Cuckoos breed mostly in eastern Queensland and New South Wales, as well as in northern Australia, but they do not live there throughout the year. In February and March, most migrate north in small flocks, flying across the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea or Torres Strait to spend winter in the Moluccas or New Guinea. Most migration is thought to take place at night. After spending the non-breeding season in our northern neighbours, Channel-billed Cuckoos return to Australia in August and September, ready to breed.
The accompanying map shows that Channel-billed Cuckoos are widespread in eastern and northern Australia during spring and summer, after returning from the islands to our north. A few may wander far inland, usually along major rivers, and there are even a few records in Central Australia, especially around Alice Springs.
If you want to discover more information about this species or any other birds that occur in Australia, just follow this link and you can explore Birds Australia's fascinating world of birds.
The population of Channel-billed Cuckoos in eastern Australia appears to have increased in recent years. This is related to a change in the occurrence of Pied Currawongs in the lowlands. Currawongs formerly bred mainly in the hills in spring and summer, and were only a winter visitor to the lowlands; now they occur in the lowlands throughout the year, and breed there, coinciding with the timing of when Cuckoos are on the lookout for a nest to parasitise, and providing them with many more options.
Channel-billed Cuckoos breed mostly in eastern Queensland and New South Wales, as well as in northern Australia, but they do not live there throughout the year. In February and March, most migrate north in small flocks, flying across the Timor Sea, Arafura Sea or Torres Strait to spend winter in the Moluccas or New Guinea. Most migration is thought to take place at night. After spending the non-breeding season in our northern neighbours, Channel-billed Cuckoos return to Australia in August and September, ready to breed.
The accompanying map shows that Channel-billed Cuckoos are widespread in eastern and northern Australia during spring and summer, after returning from the islands to our north. A few may wander far inland, usually along major rivers, and there are even a few records in Central Australia, especially around Alice Springs.
If you want to discover more information about this species or any other birds that occur in Australia, just follow this link and you can explore Birds Australia's fascinating world of birds.
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