Ornithological Observations
http://oo.adu.org.za
An electronic journal published by the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town
Ornithological Observations accepts papers containing faunistic information about birds. This includes descriptions of distri breeding, foraging, food, movement, measurements, habitat and plumage. It will
relevant ornithological material: reports of projects and conferences, annotated checklists for a site or region, specialist other interesting or relevant material.
Editor: Arnold van der Westhuizen AGGRESSION BY DIDERI
Recommended citation format:
Paton A 2015. Aggression by Diderick Cuckoo towards Klaas's Cuckoo.
URL:
- ISSN 2219-0341 -
Ornithological Observations
http://oo.adu.org.za
the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town and BirdLife South Africa
Ornithological Observations accepts papers containing faunistic information about birds. This includes descriptions of distri
breeding, foraging, food, movement, measurements, habitat and plumage. It will also consider for publication a variety of other interesting or relevant ornithological material: reports of projects and conferences, annotated checklists for a site or region, specialist bibliographies, and any
itor: Arnold van der Westhuizen
AGGRESSION BY DIDERICK CUCKOO TOWARDS KLAAS’S CUCKOO
Anthony Paton
Aggression by Diderick Cuckoo towards Klaas's Cuckoo. Ornithological Observations, Vol 6:49-50
URL: http://oo.adu.org.za/content.php?id=176 Published online: 25 April 2015
BirdLife South Africa
Ornithological Observations accepts papers containing faunistic information about birds. This includes descriptions of distribution, behaviour, also consider for publication a variety of other interesting or bibliographies, and any
Ornithological Observations, Vol 6: 49-50
AGGRESSION BY DIDERICK CUCKOO TOWARDS KLAAS’S CUCKOO
Anthony Paton*
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and Dinokeng Projects
* Corresponding author: [email protected]
This short paper describes my first record of Klaas’s Cuckoo at Melville Koppies and the first for the Second Southern Af
Atlas Project (SABAP2) in the pentad 2610_2800 whic
central Johannesburg (see Fig 1). A pentad is a 5 min latitude x 5 min longitude square for the purpose of surveys for SABAP2.
On 17.11.2014 I heard the call of Klaas’s Cuckoo Chyrsococcyx klaas on Melville Koppies East (also known as Louw Geldenhuys view site). I was easily able to locate the bird as it called from a conspicuous position in a tree in one of the last gardens in Kafue Road (which are immediately adjacent to the site). The tree in which the bird was observed is located on the highest point on the ridge The bird then relocated into the only other tree on the ridge
higher apex. It a was immediately confronted by a Diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius which called in an increasingly agitated fashion. The Diderick moved towards the intruder in a
aggressor posture with wings open and down (Figs 2 and 3) previously observed this competitive encounters between of this species.
The Klaas’s Cuckoo returned this gesture (which I have never observed in Klaas’s Cuckoo before, but assume that it is
to this species). The evidently enraged Diderick Cuckoo flew at the
- ISSN 2219-0341 -
CK CUCKOO TOWARDS
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and Dinokeng Projects [email protected]
y first record of Klaas’s Cuckoo at the Second Southern African Bird in the pentad 2610_2800 which embraces min latitude x min longitude square for the purpose of surveys for SABAP2.
Chyrsococcyx on Melville Koppies East (also known as Louw Geldenhuys able to locate the bird as it called from a conspicuous position in a tree in one of the last gardens in Kafue The tree in which ghest point on the ridge.
on the ridge with a by a Diderick Cuckoo creasingly agitated in a territorial 2 and 3). I have e encounters between rival males
his gesture (which I have never observed in Klaas’s Cuckoo before, but assume that it is also natural Cuckoo flew at the
Fig 1 – The Klaas's Cuckoo at Melville Koppies described as being the first record of this species in SABAP2 pentad 2610_2800
Klaas’s Cuckoo, put it to flight and pursued it aggressively for at least 300-400 m, beyond which both birds went out of view.
About 10-15 minutes later the Klaas’s Cuckoo returned, calli the second highest tree. It then moved to the highest tree and repulsed again as described above. Within a further
the Klaas’s Cuckoo had returned and was calling for a third time at this stage I was unable to stay any longer to ascertain which species would outlast the other. There was a female Diderick Cuckoo present in the tree as well, but no female Klaas’s Cuckoo that I was aware of.
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described as being the first pentad 2610_2800. © A Paton
Klaas’s Cuckoo, put it to flight and pursued it aggressively for at least out of view.
the Klaas’s Cuckoo returned, calling from the highest tree and was further 10-15 minutes had returned and was calling for a third time, but tage I was unable to stay any longer to ascertain which There was a female Diderick Cuckoo as’s Cuckoo that I was
Ornithological Observations, Vol 6: 49-50
Fig 2 – A male Diderick Cuckoo displaying – Maanhaarrand
Presumably, as the tree is the highest point on top of the ridge considered a prime calling post and this may explain why the Klaas’s Cuckoo continued to return despite the aggressive reception the Diderick Cuckoo expended so much energy on expelling a non conspecific is not obvious. If there are any previous records of this particular type of interspecific rivalry, I was unable to locate them.
- ISSN 2219-0341 - Maanhaarrand © A Paton
as the tree is the highest point on top of the ridge, it is may explain why the Klaas’s Cuckoo continued to return despite the aggressive reception. Why koo expended so much energy on expelling a non-
If there are any previous records of this I was unable to locate them.
Fig 3 – A male Diderick Cuckoo displaying
downward to show aggression towards an intruder Maanhaarrand © A Paton
- oo0oo -
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male Diderick Cuckoo displaying with wings to show aggression towards an intruder
