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Great-Spotted Cuckoo


Great-Spotted Cuckoo
Photo Information
Copyright: Yoram Shpirer (shpirery) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 25 W: 0 N: 88] (1323)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-25
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 10D
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-10 12:27
Viewed: 773
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Parasite-Host Interrelation is interesting from an evolutionary point of view. According to Darwinism, every species will do the utmost to ensure the future generation. In the case of the parasite, the host cares for a chick not belonging to the bird usually at the expense of his own chick.
The Cuckoo is one of five known bird families known for parasitism. (Parasites- lay is eggs in the nest of the other bird and the other bird hatching the eggs and maintain the chick, this bird defined as a Host)
There are two kinds of Cuckoos nesting in Israel. The European Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) known as the (common) Cuckoo whose chicks throw the host bird’s eggs or her chicks from the host’s nest; the host for the European Cuckoo in Israel is the Long-billed Pipit (Anthussimilis) and the Scrub Warbler (Scotocerca inquieta). The European Cuckoo lays eggs so similar to the eggs of the host that it is hard to distinguish between them. On the other hand, and of the same family, is the Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius). Her chicks do not throw the host’s chicks from their nest but causes their death by competing for the food (not constantly).
In Israel, the host for the Great Spotted Cuckoo is the Hooded Crow (Corvus corone) and the Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). In Europe the host is mainly Magpie (Pica pica).The Spotted Cuckoo is found in almost the entire of Israel from the northern valleys to the Negev. These last years, there has been an increase in the number of Hooded Crows and they have come closer to populated areas. There has been an increase in the number of Spotted Cuckoos who remain in Israel to lay their eggs. They come from South West Africa at the beginning of February and leave toward the end of July after the last of their young have hatched. In 2006 they left later, toward the end of August. The Great-spotted Cuckoo is recognized by their loud calls in open areas and in forests.


More pitcher of the story of the Great-spotted Cuckoo
in my pbase gallery http://www.pbase.com/shpirery/cuckoo
SelenE, extramundi, eBirdy has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Excellent detail Yoram.
Technically perfect picture.Excellent composition and colour presetation. Very well done. tfs. Stev

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 238 W: 6 N: 391] (1893)
  • [2007-03-10 13:50]

Hi Yoram!
Very interesting close up shot, very rare intimate sight of the chicks in the nest, perfect details and POV, and great note!TFS!

Hello Yoram
Wonderful sdhot of these Great-Spotted Cuckoo,Perfect moment to shoot,Great
colors and sharpness ,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

Interesting picture, and interesting note.
It is difficult to believe that those two inocent and cute mouths are in fact cruel parasites :) We also have it here and their sound in the forest is realy lovely and mysterious.
Thanks and regards.

Hi Yoram,
Amazing shot...Cuckoos are real survivors... Excellent note as well. Regards, Marta

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