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Guira Cuckoo


Guira Cuckoo
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2013-09-16
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D90, Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2015-08-28 7:05
Viewed: 2467
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira) is a social, non-parasitic cuckoo found widely in open and semi-open habitats of eastern and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and north-eastern Argentina. It is monotypic within the genus Guira, and is related to the anis.

It has whitish-buff underparts and rump, dark brownish upperparts, a broadly white-tipped dark tail that is relatively long, an orange-rufous crest, bare yellow ocular-skin (commonly fades in captivity), and a relatively heavy, orange-yellow bill. It is generally rather shaggy-looking and has a total length of approximately 34 cm. Like other members of the subfamily Crotophaginae, the Guira Cuckoo gives off a strong, pungent odour.

Behaviour
The Guira Cuckoo is arboreal, but can frequently be seen on the ground, usually in flocks of 6 to 18 individuals. It is sometimes seen with other birds such as the Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani) whose behaviour is similar.

Feeding
The Guira Cuckoo is a bird of open habitats and therefore has expanded its range on human-altered wooded areas, being found even in suburban parks and gardens. It feeds on large arthropods, frogs, eggs, small birds (especially nestlings) and small mammals such as mice. As it is not an accomplished flier, mostly gliding or hopping from one perch to another – clumsier, but otherwise similar to the related Squirrel Cuckoo – it acts as an opportunistic predator, gathering small prey items on the ground or searching for them among branches. The Guira Cuckoo is often seen in small groups in open habitats, gliding from one treetop to another foraging, while vocalizating loudly. The bird's call is unmistakable for being long and shrill, something between a long whistle and a wailing.

Nesting
The nest is built on a tree fork 2 to 5 m from the ground. The eggs (from 5 to 7) are dark green and covered with a chalky layer. They are incubated either in individual or community nests; in the latter one can find up to 20 eggs. Under community nests there are many broken eggs. The competition between young being great, mortality is significant.

Source: Wikipedia.
Hotelcalifornia, CeltickRanger, ramthakur, marius-secan, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Peter,
Beautiful Cuckoo....Well captured this soft colored species. Nice details and good sharpness too. Well framed in its natural habitat.
Thanks for sharing with useful NOTE,
Regards and have a nice WE,
Srikumar

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2015-08-28 8:54]

Hi Peter,spectacular capture of this cuckoo,but it needs a visit to an hair stylist before to have the honor to entry in your gallery....ehehe....magnificent capture,the sharpness is the best as possible and the colors too are wonderful,i like it! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

hello Peter
mangifique photo de ce coucou. Bien cadré dans un environnement naturel.
Bon W-E
Roland

Ciao Peter, greay capture of beautiful bird in nice pose, wonferful natural colors, fine detsils and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Hello Peter
So long I don't see Your pics...
Strange and cute bird.Very neat image.Wonderful colors specialy on the neck and head.Excellent sharpness as usual.TFS!
Have a good weekend!
Best regards
J.Diogo

Hello Peter

Great shot of this exotic bird, fine low POV at its level,
great focus, sharpness, and details of its expressive glance pose, TFS

Asbed

Yet another gem of a picture from your Brazil outing, Peter.
Exceptionally sharp focus and lovely colours on the bird.
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Nice view of this strange bird. Sharp and well off the background.

Hi Peter,
Spectacular capture of this cuckoo.

Biswarup

hallo Peter
super mooie opname
goed van scherpte en prachtig licht
kleuren zijn zeer mooi
pracht vogel
gr lou

Hello Peter
beautiful bird, the details on the faethers are stunning, great light and colors, superb POV
Have a great sunday
Jacqueline

Hello Peter,
Another pin sharp image with very good clarity. Lovely capture with such impressive details. It is a wonderful colorful specie of bird.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2015-08-31 12:56]

Hello Peter,
Wonderful capture.Details are crisp clear and razorsharp,POV,colors,framing and lighting are excellent.Regards Sigi

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2015-09-01 4:18]

Hello Peter,
happy to see that you post again, and always your beloved birds. As usual an excellent natural shot of an interesting bird, shot taken in the wild, which makes it even more special.
Take care
Anne

  • Great 
  • periko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 70 W: 2 N: 145] (1487)
  • [2015-09-23 17:50]

Hi Peter
Beautiful bird. Unknown and interesting to me.
Well chosen dof and impressive details.

tfs
Pedro

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