tailorbird & cuckoo

Location - wai
22 SEPTEMBER-2012
Camera NIKON D90
Focal Length 300mm

Shutter Speed 1/640 sec
Aperture f/5
ISO/Film 250

This is a rare shot of an incidence which occurs ever so often in nature, but always behind curtains. This is a live example of Parasite Brooding by Cuckoo species. The cuckoos typically do not build their nests; instead they lay eggs in other birds' nests. We have all heard the story of Koels laying eggs in Crow's nest. Here, we can see a Grey-bellied cuckoo juv. is being fed by the 'pseudo-parent' Tailor Bird. Even when the eggs are hatched, and birds continue to feed the Juv. till they are independents

Wow, great picture of a rare show. Thanks for sharing

regards
Rajan

Simply wonderful. One of the rarest natural drama I have ever seen. Food and love , the two basic ingredients which have kept the life moving have been merged into oneness.Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

Nice moment captured. Nature's drama well documented. Once my aunt had placed duck's eggs for the chicken to hatch. The ducklings used to move with the chicken. It was an interesting sight.

The branches and leaves appeared to be blurred, without which the image would have looked better. How much of a crop is this?

Sabyasachi Patra thank you sir ,,,,,,,,,,,,crop 70%,,too long shot sir

A very rare behavior captured. We had heard about this behavior but not seen it. Wish it was closer. Thanks for sharing.

wonderful natural history record. whats amazing is that the surrogate mother is probably smaller than the cuckoo's egg. .... it will have a tough time feeding this one.

TFS
Roopak