The Channel-billed Cuckoo at Wollongong, New South Wales: Notes on Migration, Abundance and Breeding

Abstract

Aspects of migration, abundance and breeding of the Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae were investigated, mainly at Wollongong, N.S.W., by recording adults over 18 years (from 1984 to 2002) and observing four young birds raised by Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina. Complementary data, south of latitude 32°30'S (Myall Lakes), were extracted from the literature. Arrival at Wollongong was usually between 6 and 16 September; departure was usually before the end of the first week in March. Analysis of non-systematic data suggests that abundance at Wollongong increased by a factor of about 2.3 between the late 1980s and late 1990s. Adults were mostly observed as singles or in twos (86% of records, n = 515) and duet-flights were a common occurrence during October, November and December (20% of records, n = 515). In coastal New South Wales, south of Myall Lakes, most nests (87%, n = 68) were attended by Pied Currawongs. One and two Cuckoos fledged from about 61% and 30% of host nests respectively (n = 76). At two Wollongong nests, the post-fledging dependence periods were approximately 61 and 53 days, and the home-ranges of dependent juveniles were 6.4 and 7.1 ha, respectively. Most young Cuckoos fledged during December and reached independence in February. The transition to independence was abrupt, although one juvenile sometimes foraged alone 7 days before becoming independent and was observed eating ripe figs of two species.