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In July I heard an unusual bird call outside my house in Cape Town. It sounded like "Wheat pee" repeated 3 or 4 times. I tried to eyeball it in vain and then resorted to listening to all 947 or so birds sounds on the Roberts' cd. The only possible sounding bird call on the cd was that of Klaas's cuckoo. At least twice a week I would hear the blighter and run outside with binoculars into the street, but alas he could not be seen. I think the neighbours might have been in touch with Valkenberg!!

Today at last I spotted him, and all is forgiven. He is now number 343.

Has anyone seen it in any national park?

The Afrikaans common name is "MEIDJIE" onomatopaic for his call MEID TJIE . Your WHEET PEE is also very descriptive .

They are common in Transvaal although not as common as the Diederik . I havn't a book wirth me now but is the sighting special for the Cape ?

They are quite common in the Cape, but to hear one in winter is special as the majority of them migrate and the few they remain behind are normally silent in winter.
Persistance and patience pays off, nice one BB.

Yes - frequently seen in Kruger between October & April.

Heard my first one for the summer last week.

We found one in Satara in January. Very difficult to find this bird in the leavy trees especially with its back to you. Best thing is to walk in the general direction from where the call is coming. Try to narrow it doen to one tree. Scan the tree systematically or wait for the bird to move.

I've also seen one at Satara, and it was a sight to be remembered!! It was calling in a tree, and after about 10 minutes, it took off... Stunning birds

Chrysococcyx klaas

Wow what a name!

I have often heard Klaas' cuckoo in the bush, especially in Kruger, but failed to see it due to it always being in the thickets. Lucky I was this time around, not just getting a good view but a shot, one chance only!


Click for large size

Found in a small bird party together with yellow-belly greenbuls, dark-backed weavers, a diederick cuckoo and dark-capped bulbuls.

Thats a great pic Johan,
but on looking in my field guide, can't believe how different the female is.

And why not?

Most females are VERY different!

Greater dimorphism (male and female differ in colour and size) is probably due to the need to pair and breed rapidly to take advantage of unpredictable supplies of food coupled to events like rainfall. In South African birds the greatest dimorphism is present in the widowbirds like the long-tailed widow and in whydahs. If you think about it, you'll probably find a few extreme examples too.

Yes and some more than others

In Satara just before Easter we saw a juv. Klaas' cuckoo being fed by a weaver - the village weaver I think. Also a juv. Greater spotted cuckoo being fed by starlings. They both made such a noise we couldn't miss them.

Saw one in November at Teba Pafuri. Since most of the trees in the north were leafless [away from the rivers], he was not difficult to spot either. It was a lifer for me.

Heres one nearly in a National park, it's from the garden at Timbavati, one of the private reserves outside Kruger.
/Neil
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/218 ... d469_m.jpg

I say, quite a interesting specimen - with the dark head and all!

I don't think it has a dark head. I think it's some shadow instead. Nevertheless, it's a good picture.