Need help identifying this bird!

[xyu]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help identify this bird which I saw in a small pine tree in the countryside not far from Marseille the other day when I was on holiday. It definitely isn't a British species, and not a standard European one either, I don't think. It had the size and shape of a magpie and my first reaction was that it could be a roller or bee-eater, but it wasn't. The top half of its head was all black (exactly like the azure-winged magpie), and what I could see of the lower half of the head was yellowish; the back was a darkish pale green and what I could see of the underside was yellowish; it had a black, magpie-like long tail with a touch of light colour round the edge of the back of the tail.

I've been searching images of various species of cuckoos, bee-eaters, mapgies etc to no avail - could it be some rare vagrant species of cuckoo?

Thanks in advance!
John

[Ferret]

Hi
Only bird that springs to mind is Great-spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius which I think is found in that part of France.

Other than that try posting on this sites sister Wild About the World they concentrate on foreign wildlife and are therefore more likely to be able to help you. You can find them here,Wild About The World - Powered by vBulletin

Ferret

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Ferret

Hi
Only bird that springs to mind is Great-spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius which I think is found in that part of France.


Ferret

I'd go along with that, with the black head, a juvenile most likely. They are found in the South of France too.

Regards, Chris

[Fieldfare95]

Here is a picture of a great spotted cuckoo from Great Spotted Cuckoo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Adult with juvenile in background:

[clydebirder]

It certainly sounds like a juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo, not much else it could be really

cheers, John

[xyu]

Thanks for the info - you guys are spot on, that's definitely what it was. Magic!

Cheers,
John