The term "running postman" refers to a bird species known as the Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus). This small bird is native to Australia and New Zealand. It belongs to the cuckoo family and is characterized by its vibrant plumage and distinct vocalizations.
The running postman is a slender bird, approximately 18 centimeters in length, with a shiny greenish-blue or bronze coloration on its upperparts, and a white underside. It has a long tail and a curved bill. This bird is known for its swift and agile movements on the ground, resembling that of a running postman, thus giving it its common name.
The running postman is predominantly insectivorous and feeds on a variety of insects, such as caterpillars, spiders, and beetles. It has a unique reproductive strategy known as brood parasitism. The female running postman lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, such as thornbills and fairy-wrens, who then unknowingly incubate and raise the running postman's chicks.
The vocalizations of the running postman are distinctive and consist of a series of rapidly ascending metallic notes, resembling the sound of a postman's whistle. This vocalization serves as a territorial call or to attract a mate during the breeding season.
Due to its unique appearance, swift movements, and vocalizations reminiscent of a postman's whistle, the running postman holds a significant place in the avian biodiversity of Australia and New Zealand.
