Mysterious feathered friend…

January 20, 2013 20 Comments

We had a strange visitor on our deck this morning… not of the human variety (although the deck is quite used to strange humans) but another feathered creature…

He was perched uncertainly on the back of a timber chair, staring at his reflection in our kitchen window…

He was really astonishingly beautiful… not quite mature, we suspect.

With a beak a little like a kingfisher or kookaburra…

Long, strong talons perfect for grabbing prey and feathered legs (see following pics) not unlike a wedgetail eagle…

Dash has a little mate visiting – they were both enormously curious.

Luckily the bird was calm enough not to freak out when each tried to stroke his tail feathers…

Although I am not certain he enjoyed the attention.

He seems to be saying “Which is the right way OUT of here please!”

And despite encouragement from our resident critter tamers (Lachie and Cal) to stay and eat steakettes, he was soon on his way up, up and away.

Hours have been spent pouring over online bird catalogues but we are no closer to knowing the breed of our handsome feathered friend.

The closest guess we came up with was a Swamp Harrier. But the yellow doesn’t seem as apparent on anything we find…

Anyone out there know? Please share in comments!

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20 Responses to “Mysterious feathered friend…”

Andrew Reply January 20, 2013 at 4:54 pm

Did you try this one? http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder
I will have a crack at it now.
Andrew´s last [type] ..Guns Don’t Kill People
Andrew Reply January 20, 2013 at 5:14 pm

Nope. I think it may be a juvenile, and look different to an adult bird.
Andrew´s last [type] ..Guns Don’t Kill People
Colin (HB) Reply January 20, 2013 at 6:07 pm

Yellow seems to be the in colour these days. The players at the Australian Open
seem to be all yellow orientated.
With the real feathery legs, might suggest a member of the hawk family???
Colin
Kylie Reply January 20, 2013 at 7:46 pm

The only thing I could come up with is a juvenile channel billed cuckoo (the beak looks very similar)

http://www.waratahsoftware.com.au/pages/birds/wp_channelbilled_p1100035.html

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=channel+billed+birds&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fLz7UPe-B4-ciAe5wIDwBA&ved=0CFUQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=818#hl=en&tbo=d&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=channel+billed+juvenile&oq=channel+billed+juvenile&gs_l=img.3…3912.6389.0.6682.10.10.0.0.0.0.258.1413.5j1j4.10.0…0.0…1c.1.50ML_akz6E4&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41248874,d.dGI&fp=bf0fd0a4e0d6ec9&biw=1280&bih=818
Amanda Reply January 20, 2013 at 9:41 pm

Sent you a link on facebook. I kept thinking he looked a bit like a channel-billed cuckoo, but I hadn’t seen one that colour …. until I saw some pictures of juveniles and fledglings….
Amanda´s last [type] ..Dear Darl, it’s 18 January, 2013
Bush Babe Reply January 20, 2013 at 10:26 pm

Check out the links to the Channel-billed Cuckoo here guys:
http://www.southbank.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Ask+an+Expert/Question+of+the+month/Question+Archive/Questions/2011/September+2011

Reckon the last pic nails it!
debby Reply January 20, 2013 at 11:13 pm

I think Amanda has cracked it. The bird is described as being pretty quiet natured, which describes your guest to a tee.
debby´s last [type] ..Useful things that I have learned this past week.
Andrew Reply January 20, 2013 at 11:17 pm

Yep, that is it. It had to be young to be so human friendly. It may well be a cuckoo, but it does look like a serious hunting bird.
Andrew´s last [type] ..Guns Don’t Kill People
Kate Reply January 20, 2013 at 11:36 pm

Wow!!! Don’t you just love people who read your blog? They are so helpful. Love your photos.
Kate´s last [type] ..Sunshine, freedom, and a little flower
Nancy in Iowa Reply January 21, 2013 at 12:20 am

He’s absolutely beautiful! And lucky boys, to get to touch him. Great job everyone of identifying him.
Colin (HB) Reply January 21, 2013 at 7:28 am

Well I have been “wikipediaing” (new word?).
I have looked at all the pictures of the Australian cuckoo varieties and this new bird on the Granite Belt does not look like any of them.
Maybe Amanda forward the photo to a zoo or bird santuary for classification/verification. I think it is
a member of the hawk family.
Colin
Leenie Reply January 21, 2013 at 2:41 pm

Something cuckoo going on Downunder.
- debby Reply January 22, 2013 at 12:30 pm
  
  *Snort of laughter*
  debby´s last [type] ..Another Change
  - Bush Babe Reply January 22, 2013 at 10:02 pm
    
    Pair of comedians!!
A Novel Woman Reply January 22, 2013 at 10:54 am

He’s GORGEOUS. How wonderful to be able to get so close to him.
A Novel Woman´s last [type] ..Country Walk In the City
rhubarb whine Reply January 22, 2013 at 11:40 am

What gorgeous colourings he has!
rhubarb whine´s last [type] ..On the Move
rhubarb whine Reply January 22, 2013 at 11:42 am

BB, What gorgeous colourings he has!
rhubarb whine´s last [type] ..Just Keep Swimming…
Marion Reply January 22, 2013 at 3:53 pm

It’s a Friend of Lance Armstrong bird.
- Bush Babe Reply January 22, 2013 at 10:05 pm
  
  Oh goodness… poor old Lance. Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse!!
SquiggleMum Reply February 4, 2013 at 12:25 pm

Definitely a juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoo
Yep, I’m a birdnerd.
SquiggleMum´s last [type] ..Reading Signs