I am inspired this week after watching a young Koel at my inlaws place yesterday and after hearing more Fan-tailed Cuckoos around Sydney this year than I can recall before (and having more incidental sightings from people). The koel is living in a row of trees and being fed by a Little Wattlebird- very late in the season too - still looks to be a while off being old enough to head off north. My bad iphone photos are definitely not worthy of being posted here 
So lets see either the cuckoo itself and a host parent in different shots (doesn't need to be the exact parent) or, if you have them, in the same shot. One series per poster.
No squatters I'm fraid, just an adult. Taken in N.T.
Des
Great photos Des
M-L
Thanks M.L.
Des
The Koels have been around but not as active as normal this year , although I did have one in my garden this morning doing a fly through. i am wondering if it is the extra dry summer that has kept them quiet , unlike the previous few summers where they were rampant around our area.
Male feasting on Palm Berries in the garden
His beautiful female doing the same
Sorry no host birds to show, I find them very hard to catch in the act lately.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Nice looking birds,lovely colouring.
Yes, Rick, one of the few cases where although the male bird is quite beautiful with his red eyes and their amazing calls, the female is just beautifully patterned and manages to outshine him
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Birdie those photos are amazing , just love those red berries , we don't get those sort of birds here in West Aust. Super attractive birds and I agree the female does outshine the male . They look so good in and amongst the berries.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
I didnt realise you were in WA Shoop, it was really different for me coming to Queensland after living there for over 20 years, and the birdlife is quite different. You should hear their calls when they get really manic in the mating season...they are unreal... never cease to bring a smile to my face and if I was a female Koel I am sure I would find them irrestistable
You can hear a male calling quite a few blocks away from where he is hiding in the trees!
Whilel I am commenting on demented calls ..... Desbee your shots of the CBC are to die for.... I have only ever got close enough once to take a close up and that was further north at Woodgate. They have been much quieter here this summer, again I think because of the lack of rain down this way..... but to hear them call in the middle of the night .... makes you think someone is getting murdered !!!
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Beaut series Des! Looks like he was eyeing of something of interest down below in those last couple of shots!
birdie, if that male Koel was buff, he'd near be chameleon-like in amongst the palm berries, his eye is such a close match to the berries themselves! Both male and female beautiful, but yep, one more vote for the female from me too.
Just some oldies from me from mid December last year.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo fledgling being fed by Tasmanian Thornbill Host parent.
"O.k., now open wide dear, I have a big mouthful for you here".
"That's it, well done. Oh. Perhaps not such a big mouthful after all...all...all." (echo)
"Don't listen to what anyone says, you're just big boned dear...comes from your father's side of the family".
West Coast Tasmania
Wow - that's a size mismatch and a half...
Poor little thornbills will be working so hard!
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Lovely photos Annie, love the commentary! Thanks for your encouragement.
Des
Wow Anniej that is awesome work ..... so cruel for the poor little thornbill thrying to feed that monster chick though
Sunshine Coast Queensland