A large frugivorous bird but despite its size often more heard than seen. Its binomial name Scythrops novaehollandiae means angry bird of Australia. Being a typical cuckoo, eggs are dropped in host nests particularly the pied Currawong.
Channel billeds arrived across my Brisbane acreage every year between 12-15 September. They often parasitized crows in the area. In wild avian rescue we tend to get the young channel billeds after the host bird has left them. It can be difficult for the youngster to successfully feed when it is in short supply due to constant harassment of other birds. If they came into wildcare we have to ensure they are ready to go by beginning March so they can make their migration. They are fantastic birds. Cecile avian rescue/rehab/brisbane.
No wonder why elders in my village (New Britain Island - PNG)used to tell us crows also hatch these channel-billed cuckoos. They too knew nothing about their parasitic behavior thinking that crows actually lay these eggs that hatch cuckoos. Thanks, now I know 😊
Currawongs raising a chick here(NSW 2480). Wanted to show my friend a clear video, the first video that popped up was yours & thank you for excellent visuals & audio, information. We laughed at the co-incidence of the filmed foster parents being currawongs! The huge chick certainly keeps the pair busy!
Nice to spend some video-time in sunny Australia (from here in N. American winter). Looking at some of the birds on this channel, seems like the dawn chorus must really be something there! 🙂
I have been hearing these birds since the white mulberry tree where I live started fruiting, my landlord warned me about them and now I understand... They seem... Unpleasant to say the least.
