I have heard it said that when you hear the Cuckoo cry, it is a sure sign that Winter is departing and Spring is almost upon us.  Cuckoos will often nest in Australian backyards and call out to entice a mate during the breeding season.  Sometimes called the Storm Bird, they are also said to signal rain.

 

While Australia is home to many different varieties of Cuckoos, they sound nothing like their European cousins.  The most common breed of Cuckoos in Northern and Eastern parts of Australia is the Channel-billed Cuckoo.  When I first heard that Australia was home to Cuckoos, I was a little intrigued, to say the least.  After a bit of research (ahem, Googling), I soon found a wonderful website with lots of information about birds.  I learnt that the Cuckoo typically migrates to Australia from New Guinea and Indonesia between August and October each year, and then leave again in late February. 

 

Australian Cuckoos feed on native fruits, seeds and insects.  Apparently they also like figs, and given the huge heritage-listed fig tree in our neighbours yard, I shouldn't be surprised that the Cuckoo was enticed to our backyard. 

 

Oz Animals has a large array of photos of Australian Cuckoos.  Take a look here.   I have no way of knowing which type of Cuckoo it was in my backyard.  I am guessing that it was a Channel-billed Cuckoo, since they are known for laying their eggs in the nests of magpies, and we do have a few of those around.

 

The Birds In Backyards website is a great resource, with sounds and information on the top 40 birds in Australia.  If you've never heard the sound of an Australian Cuckoo, you can listen up here.