Asian Koel

Asian Koel Biography

The Koel is a large cuckoo. The male has glossy blue-black plumage and red eye. The female is glossy brown above with white spots and bars. She has a black face and black on top of head, and red eye. The underparts are creamy brown with fine black bars. Young birds are similar to adult female, but have dark eye. 

Other Names  Cooee, Rain bird, Indian Koel.

Size 39 - 46cm

Habitat tall forests and are common in suburban areas.

Food fruit, especially figs

Breeding lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species. Common hosts are the Red Wattle bird, Friarbirds, Magpie-lark, Fig birds. A single egg is laid in the host nest and once hatched the chick pushes the other eggs and hatch lings out of the nest. The chick soon grows larger than the foster parents who continue to feed it once it leaves the nest.

Range During breeding season, they are found in northern and eastern Australia down to southern coast of New South Wales.

Notes   Koels arrive in Australia in late September and early October from their northern winter homes to breed. The Koels leave southern Australia about March.

Asian Koel 

Asian Koel 

Asian Koel 

Asian Koel

 Asian Koel

 Asian Koel 

Asian Koel 

Asian Koel 

Asian Koel 

Male Asian koel Resting in Neem Tree

An Asian Koel (Male) Singing