ML248473451

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Observation details

White below. Brownish on the back with chestnut primaries. The underside of tail was black with series of graduated white spots . Bill was mostly yellow, except for top edge. Outstanding views. We were watching an elderberry bush which was hosting many birds (thrashers, tanagers, verdin, finches). I suddenly noticed a cuckoo sitting quietly to one side. After several moments, it went into the elderberry bush and climbed around, occasionally poking it’s head out. Finally the cuckoo climbed to the exterior of the elderberry and took a sunbath. Bird was in full view at least 12 minutes. Later in the morning we observed a bird pulling caterpillars off the elderberry leaves and I would guess that was what attracted the cuckoo although we did not observe it eat anything. No vocalizations at all. Lots of photos!

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

Lens

300.0 mm f/4.0

ISO

500

Focal length

420 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1000 sec

Dimensions

1365 pixels x 910 pixels

Original file size

357.95 KB