Species Heteroscenes pallidus (Latham, 1801)

Museums

Regional Maps

• Columba pallida Latham, J. 1801. Supplementum Indicis Ornithologici, sive Systematis Ornithologiae. London : G. Leigh, J. & S. Sotheby 74 pp. [60] [based on the Pale Pigeon in Latham, J. 1802. Supplement II. to the General Synopsis of Birds. London : Leigh, Sotheby & Son 376 pp. pls CXX–CXL [publication dated as 1801] (270), in turn based on Thomas Watling drawing no. 226 in BMNH, see Hindwood, K.A. 1970. The "Watling" drawings, with incidental notes on the "Lambert" and the "Latham" drawings. Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales 1968–69: 16–32 pls IV–VII; for its identity, see Cabanis, J. & Heine, F. 1863. Museum Heineanum. Verzeichniss der ornithologischen Sammlung des Oberamtmann Ferdinand Heine auf Gut St. Burchard vor Halberstadt. Pt 4 sect. 1. Halberstadt : R. Frantz 229 pp. [publication dated as 1862–1863]; Mathews, G.M. 1911. On some necessary alterations in the nomenclature of birds. Pt II. Novitates Zoologicae 18: 1–22 [For publication date Mathews, G.M. 1913. New generic names, with some notes on others. Austral Avian Records 2: 55–62]; Mathews, G.M. 1915. On Columba pallida Latham. Austral Avian Records 3: 1–4 [Mathews, G.M. & Iredale, T. 1915. On the ornithology of the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles (Levrault). Austral Avian Records 3: 5–20 [Sclater, P.L. 1893. List of the dates of delivery of the sheets of the "Proceedings" of the Zoological Society of London, from the commencement in 1830 to 1859 inclusive. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1893: 435–440]]; for other interpretations, see Hartert, E. 1905. List of birds collected in north-western Australia and Arnhem Land by Mr. J.T. Tunney. Novitates Zoologicae 12: 194–242 [Mathews, G.M. 1912. Dates of issue of Lear's Illustr. Psittacidae and of the Verhandelingen over de Naturlijke (sic) Geschiedenis.: Land-en Volkenkunde. Austral Avian Records 1: 23–24 (published without author)]; North, A.J. 1906. Remarks on the names of some Australian birds. Ibis 8 6: 53–57 [Mathews, G.M. & Iredale, T. 1915. On the ornithology of the Dictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles (Levrault). Austral Avian Records 3: 5–20 [Sclater, P.L. 1893. List of the dates of delivery of the sheets of the "Proceedings" of the Zoological Society of London, from the commencement in 1830 to 1859 inclusive. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1893: 435–440]]; Sharpe, R.B. 1906. Birds. pp. 79–515 in, The History of the Collections contained in the Natural History Departments of the British Museum. London : British Museum Vol. 2. (145); type locality restricted here to central coast of NSW because that region was the source of material for paintings of the Thomas Watling series, see Hindwood, K.A. 1970. The "Watling" drawings, with incidental notes on the "Lambert" and the "Latham" drawings. Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales 1968–69: 16–32 pls IV–VII].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown (?lost, figured on Thomas Watling drawing no. 226 in BMNH), central coastal New South Wales (as Nova Hollandia).

  Type locality references:

  Mason, I.J. in Schodde, R. & Mason, I.J. 1997. Aves (Columbidae to Coraciidae). In, Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 37.2 xiii 440 pp. [228].
• Cuculus cinereus Vieillot, L.P. 1817. Coucou. pp. 202–238 in Nouveau Dictionaire d'Histoire Naturelle, appliquée aux arts, à l'Agriculture, à l'Économie rurale et domestique, à la Médecine, etc. Par une Société de Naturalistes et d'Agriculteurs. Nouvelle Édition Paris : Déterville. [226] [junior homonym of Cuculus cinereus Meuschen, 1787, nec Bolton, 1798 (=Eudynamys scolopacea (Linnaeus, 1758), Cuculidae), see Mathews, G.M. 1926. Another new book, which necessitates changes in nomenclature. Austral Avian Records 5: 81–100; for identification of type material, see Pucheran, J. 1852. Etudes sur les types peu connus du Musée de Paris. Sixième article. (Grimpeurs). Rev. Mag. Zool. Paris 2 4: 555–564; the name Cuculus variegatus Vieillot, 1817 (Vieillot, L.P. 1817. Coucou. pp. 202–238 in Nouveau Dictionaire d'Histoire Naturelle, appliquée aux arts, à l'Agriculture, à l'Économie rurale et domestique, à la Médecine, etc. Par une Société de Naturalistes et d'Agriculteurs. Nouvelle Édition Paris : Déterville., p. 224), non Scopoli, 1786 (=Eudynamys scolopacea (Linnaeus, 1758)), is a further synonym that is nevertheless excluded here, being based on material from Timor, see Pucheran, J. 1852. Etudes sur les types peu connus du Musée de Paris. Sixième article. (Grimpeurs). Rev. Mag. Zool. Paris 2 4: 555–564 and Hellmayr, C.E. 1916. Weiteres zur avifauna von Timor. Novitates Zoologicae 23: 96–111].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP (institution uncertain; ex H. Baillon coll.), New South Wales (as la Nouvelle-Hollande).

  Type locality references:

  Mathews, G.M. 1912. A Reference-List to the Birds of Australia. Novitates Zoologicae 18: 171-455 [Date published 31 Jan 1912].
• Cuculus inornatus Vigors, N.A. & Horsfield, T. 1827. A description of the Australian birds in the collection of the Linnean Society; with an attempt at arranging them according to their natural affinities. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 15: 170-331 [Date published 17 Feb 1827: publication dated 1826] [297] [as Inornatus; based on male and female (syntypes), only one of which identified in BMNH by Shelley, G.E. 1891. Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Picariae-Cuculidae. London : British Museum Vol. 19 xii 484 pp. 13 pls (262); Sharpe, R.B. 1906. Birds. pp. 79–515 in, The History of the Collections contained in the Natural History Departments of the British Museum. London : British Museum Vol. 2. (416); Warren, R.L.M. 1966. Type-specimens of Birds in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1 Non-Passerines. London : British Museum ix 320 pp.; lectotypification effected under ICZN Art. 74].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1863.7.7.58 ♂ adult, Parramatta, NSW (as Paramatta).
  Paralectotype(s) BMNH (institution uncertain; ex Linnean Society of London coll.).

  Subsequent designation references:

  Shelley, G.E. 1891. Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Picariae-Cuculidae. London : British Museum Vol. 19 xii 484 pp. 13 pls. [262].

  Type locality references:

  Vigors, N.A. & Horsfield, T. 1827. A description of the Australian birds in the collection of the Linnean Society; with an attempt at arranging them according to their natural affinities. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 15: 170-331 [Date published 17 Feb 1827: publication dated 1826] (cf. Shelley, G.E. 1891. Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Picariae-Cuculidae. London : British Museum Vol. 19 xii 484 pp. 13 pls; Warren, R.L.M. 1966. Type-specimens of Birds in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1 Non-Passerines. London : British Museum ix 320 pp.).
• Cuculus albostrigatus Vigors, N.A. & Horsfield, T. 1827. A description of the Australian birds in the collection of the Linnean Society; with an attempt at arranging them according to their natural affinities. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 15: 170-331 [Date published 17 Feb 1827: publication dated 1826] [298] [as Albo-strigatus; page of original publication commonly miscited as 297].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1863.7.7.59 unsexed imm., New South Wales (as New Holland).

  Type locality references:

  Mathews, G.M. 1912. A Reference-List to the Birds of Australia. Novitates Zoologicae 18: 171-455 [Date published 31 Jan 1912] (cf. Shelley, G.E. 1891. Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Picariae-Cuculidae. London : British Museum Vol. 19 xii 484 pp. 13 pls; Warren, R.L.M. 1966. Type-specimens of Birds in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1 Non-Passerines. London : British Museum ix 320 pp.).
• Chalcites simplex Lesson, R.P. 1844. Catalogue descriptif des oiseaux nouveau, rares ou peu connus, de la collection Abeillé. Écho du Monde Savant, 11th year: col. 1137–1139. [col. 1138].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP imm. (institution uncertain), New South Wales (as la Nouvelle-Hollande)
  Comment: type material not cited as in MNHP by Pucheran, J. 1853. Etudes sur les types peu connus du Musée de Paris. Sixième article. (Grimpeurs). Rev. Mag. Zool. Paris 2 5: 65-73.

  Type locality references:

  Mathews, G.M. 1913. A List of the Birds of Australia containing the names and synonyms connected with each genus, species, and subspecies of birds found in Australia, at present known to the author. London : Witherby xxvii 453 pp.
• Heteroscenes occidentalis Cabanis, J. & Heine, F. 1863. Museum Heineanum. Verzeichniss der ornithologischen Sammlung des Oberamtmann Ferdinand Heine auf Gut St. Burchard vor Halberstadt. Halberstadt : R. Frantz Part 4 (1) 229 pp. [publication dated as 1862–1863] [27] [proposed conditionally but available under ICZN Art. 15; based on an immature specimen obtained through L. Preiss or collectors associated with him, see Glauert, L. 1948. The ornithological collecting of Dr. L. Preiss in 1839. Western Australian Naturalist 1: 147–148; Meise, W. 1951. Notes on the ornithological collection of Preiss in the Swan River Colony, 1838–1841. Emu 51: 148–151; all Preiss's material came from the Swan River district, WA, see inward correspondence, Colonial Secretary's Office, vol. 68, letters 11/10/1839, 23/10/1839, lodged in Battye Library, State Library of Western Australia, Perth].

  Type data:

   Holotype MMH imm. (unchecked), Swan River district, WA (as Westaustralien).

  Type locality references:

  Mason, I.J. in Schodde, R. & Mason, I.J. 1997. Aves (Columbidae to Coraciidae). In, Houston, W.W.K. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia Vol. 37.2 xiii 440 pp. [229] (cf. Mathews, G.M. 1912. A Reference-List to the Birds of Australia. Novitates Zoologicae 18: 171–455 [publication dated Jan. 1912, published 31 Jan.]; RAOU Checklist Committee, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union 1926. Official Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union x 212 pp.; Peters, J.L. 1940. Check-list of Birds of the World. Cambridge : Harvard University Press Vol. 4 xii 291 pp.; Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia Pt 1 Non-passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp.).
• Heteroscenes pallidus tasmanicus Mathews, G.M. 1916. List of additions of new sub-species to, and changes in, my "List of the Birds of Australia". Austral Avian Records 3(3): 53-68 [Date published 4 Apr 1916] [58] [syntypes not cited by Greenway, J.C. 1978. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Pt 2. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 161: 1–306].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AMNH no. unspecified 3♂ adults (G.M. Mathews' coll. no. unspecified), Tasmania
  Comment: for identification of syntypes, see Mayr, E. 1964. On the taxonomy of Cuculus pallidus (Latham). Emu 64: 41.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Mayr, E. 1964. On the taxonomy of Cuculus pallidus (Latham). The Emu 64: 41 [41]

Generic Combinations

• Cuculus pallidus (Latham, 1801).
• Cacomantis (Vidgenia) pallidus (Latham, 1801).
• Heteroscenes pallidus (Latham, 1801).

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

All mainland Australia (except heavily forested coastal sectors and treeless deserts) and TAS—also islands in Bass Strait (King and Furneaux Group), Kangaroo Is., north coastal islands; vagrant on islands in Torres Strait, Christmas Is. and Lord Howe Is., also S New Guinea, Flores, Timor (resident?), Moluccas, and New Zealand.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Arnhem Coast (ARC), Arnhem Plateau (ARP), Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Central Arnhem (CA), Carnarvon (CAR), Central Kimberley (CK), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Coolgardie (COO), Cobar Peneplain (CP), Central Ranges (CR), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Daly Basin (DAB), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Dampierland (DL), Darling Riverine Plains (DRP), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Flinders (FLI), Gascoyne (GAS), Gawler (GAW), Gibson Desert (GD), Gulf Fall and Uplands (GFU), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Great Sandy Desert (GSD), Gulf Coastal (GUC), Gulf Plains (GUP), Great Victoria Desert (GVD), Hampton (HAM), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), King (KIN), Little Sandy Desert (LSD), Mallee (MAL), Murray Darling Depression (MDD), Mount Isa Inlier (MII), Mulga Lands (ML), Murchison (MUR), Nandewar (NAN), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), New England Tablelands (NET), Northern Kimberley (NK), NSW North Coast (NNC), NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Nullarbor (NUL), Ord Victoria Plain (OVP), Pine Creek (PCK), Pilbara (PIL), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tanami (TAN), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Victoria Bonaparte (VB), Victorian Midlands (VM), Victorian Volcanic Plain (VVP), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia

Ecological Descriptors

Arboreal, arthropod-feeder, crop, desert, diurnal, low open shrubland, low open woodland, low shrubland, low woodland, migratory, open forest, open scrub, sand plain desert, solitary, tall open shrubland, tall shrubland, volant, woodland.

Extra Ecological Information

Less commonly sandhill desert, seasonal breeder, sexually dimorphic, usually solitary, commonly perches on exposed bare brachlets and stumps, feeds on various insects by perch-and-pounce sallying, flies gracefully and directly with undulations, elevates tail on alighting, brood parasite parasitizing hosts that build cup-shaped nests, mainly honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), particularly species of Lichenostomus and Melithreptus, migrates erratically according to seasonal conditions, generally inland and north across N Australia in Jan.-Mar. after breeding and south to southern coasts and Tasmania in July-Aug. to breed, males arriving earlier than females and advertising territory by loud calling.

General References

Brooker, M.G. & Brooker, L.C. 1989. Cuckoo hosts in Australia. Australian Zoological Reviews 2: 1-67 (nidification)

Campbell, A.J. 1898. Notes on the Pallid Cuckoo. Victorian Naturalist 14: 58-62 (nidification)

Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. (synonymy)

Gentilli, J. 1949. Pallid Cuckoo observations, 1949. Western Australian Naturalist 2: 59-64 (behaviour)

Goodwin, D. in Hall, B.P. (ed.) 1974. Birds of the Harold Hall Australian Expeditions 1962–70. A report on the collections made for the British Museum (Natural History). Results of the Harold Hall Australian Expeditions, No. 33. London : British Museum. 10 pls col. pl. map xi 396 pp. (behaviour, diet, taxonomy)

Mathews, G.M. 1912. A Reference-List to the Birds of Australia. Novitates Zoologicae 18: 171-455 [Date published 31 Jan 1912] (presenting alternative taxonomic arrangement also subsequent revisions)

Mathews, G.M. 1918. The Birds of Australia. London : Witherby & Co. Vol. 7 pts i-iv xii pp. 1-384 pls 325-362. [Date published 4 Mar. 1918: volume publication dated as 1918–1919; Publication of Pt 1 (4 Mar. 1918), Pt 2 (15 May 1918), Pt 3 (26 Aug.), Pt 4 (19 Dec 1918), Pt 5 (12 June 1919)] (morphology, nidification, behaviour, history)

North, A.J. 1912. Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania. Sydney : Australian Museum Spec. Cat. 1 Vol. 3 vii 362 pp. (morphology, nidification, behaviour)

Peters, J.L. 1940. Check-list of Birds of the World. Cambridge : Harvard University Press Vol. 4 xii 291 pp. (presenting alternative taxonomic arrangement)

Shelley, G.E. 1891. Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Picariae-Cuculidae. London : British Museum Vol. 19 xii 484 pp. 13 pls. (synonymy and specific limits)

White, C.M.N. & Bruce, M.D. 1986. The Birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, the Moluccas & Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia). An annotated check-list. B.O.U. Check-list No. 7. London : British Ornithologists' Union 524 pp. (extra Australian distribution)

Wolters, H.E. 1976. Die Vogelarten der Erde. Eine systematische Liste mit Verbreitungsangaben sowie deutschen und englischen Namen. Hamburg : Paul Parey pp. Lief. 2, 81-160. (synonymy)

History of changes