Abstract
Accurate ageing of nestling birds is important for a variety of ecological, evolutionary and ornithological research. However, this can be difficult when nests are found after the eggs have hatched, especially for less-common species such as brood-parasitic cuckoos. Here we present a photographic guide for ageing nestlings of two species of Australian cuckoo: Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis and the Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis . Evidence of chick rejection by several hosts of bronze-cuckoos Chalcites spp. and counter-adaptations in cuckoo nestlings has prompted increased research attention in this subject. This guide will help facilitate these efforts as well as research into the ecologies of other unstudied cuckoos.
Published Version
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