Eudynamys scolopacea
When seen, the male Common Koel is easily identified by its entirely glossy black plumage, tinged with blue and green, and striking red eye. The female has glossed brown upperparts, heavily spotted with white, and a black crown. The underparts are generally buff-cream with numerous fine black bars. Young birds resemble the adult female, but have considerably more buff and a dark eye. The Common Koel is 39 to 46 cm in length, and is a member of the cuckoo family. Adults are rather shy and they are heard much more than seen. The male Common Koel advertises its presence by a loud ascending whistle "coo-ee" or "ko-el", monotonously repeated; the call of the female is a repetitive "wook-wook-wook...". Males often call throughout the day and well into the night.
In contrast to the adults, fledglings can be very conspicuous as they beg loudly for food from their foster parents.
Another member of the genus is the Long-tailed Cuckoo, Eudynamys taitensis, of New Zealand, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. This bird somewhat resembles the female Common Koel in plumage.
In late September and early October each year, Common Koel arrive in Australia from their northern winter homes to breed. They inhabit the tall forests and suburbs of northern and eastern Australia, south to about Nowra, New South Wales, although occasional birds are encountered further south
The Koels leave southern Australia in about March. Most birds migrate from Australia to New Guinea, probably eastern Indonesia and perhaps further north, but some remain in northern Australia.
Common Koels feed almost entirely in the canopy of trees. Occasionally mixed flocks are formed with other species such as pigeons. Food consists of fruits, especially figs, taken directly from the tree.
The Common Koel is a brood parasite, that is, it lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species. Common hosts are the Red Wattlebird, friarbirds, the Magpie-lark, Grallina cyanoleuca, and figbirds. A single egg is laid in the host's nest and once hatched the chick forces the other eggs and hatchlings out of the nest. When the chick leaves the nest it roosts in the outer branches of a tree, cheeping incessantly while the significantly smaller parents desperately search for sufficient food to satisfy the nagging youngster. This is a full-time job, as the young Koel will grow to nearly twice their size over the next four to six weeks. Eventually, it migrates northwards, usually later than the adults, to return as a breeding bird the following spring.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
This page: http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/common_koel.htm
