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;[[:Category:Eudynamys|Eudynamys]] scolopaceus | ;[[:Category:Eudynamys|Eudynamys]] scolopaceus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | |||
39–46 cm (15¼-18 in)<br /> | 39–46 cm (15¼-18 in)<br /> | ||
'''Male''': | '''Male''': | ||
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*Red eyes | *Red eyes | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | [[Image:asian_koel_alok.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies male <br />Photo © by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Delhi, [[India]], June-2012]] | ||
Found from southern [[Asia]], [[China]], [[Indochina]] to the northern [[Moluccas]] ([[Indonesia]]). | Found from southern [[Asia]], [[China]], [[Indochina]] to the northern [[Moluccas]] ([[Indonesia]]). | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | |||
Formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Koel]] and [[Pacific Koel]]. | Formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Koel]] and [[Pacific Koel]]. | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
| Line 38: | Line 37: | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | These birds are | + | These birds are [[Dictionary_A-C#B|brood parasites]], laying their eggs in nests of [[Large-billed Crow]], and [[House Crow]]. |
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
| − | Whilst the adults feed mainly on fruit, their diet also includes insects, caterpillars, eggs and small vertebrates. | + | Whilst the adults feed mainly on fruit, such as figs, papaya and berries, their diet also includes insects, caterpillars, eggs and small vertebrates. |
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
[[Image:25320Asian Koel-Female Imm .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies juvenile <br />Photo © by {{user|bankim|bankim}}<br />Ahmedabad, Gujarat, [[India]], July 2005]] | [[Image:25320Asian Koel-Female Imm .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies juvenile <br />Photo © by {{user|bankim|bankim}}<br />Ahmedabad, Gujarat, [[India]], July 2005]] | ||
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Since the bird is most active just before the onset of monsoon, Indians believe that its arrival heralds the oncoming rains. | Since the bird is most active just before the onset of monsoon, Indians believe that its arrival heralds the oncoming rains. | ||
| − | In Sri Lanka, | + | In [[Sri Lanka]], they have a strong association with the traditional new year celebrations. In the literature around the festival, the song of the bird is regarded as heralding new year. They are called "koha" by the Sinhala speaking community. |
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
Click images to see larger version | Click images to see larger version | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:asian_koel_alok_2.JPG|Nominate subspecies female<br />Photo © by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Delhi, [[India]], May-2012 | Image:asian_koel_alok_2.JPG|Nominate subspecies female<br />Photo © by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Delhi, [[India]], May-2012 | ||
| + | Image:Parasitic_Immature.JPG|Nominate Ssp. Parasitic immature fed by House Crow parents <br />Photo © by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Delhi, [[India]], Aug- 2010 | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#Birdforum Member observations |
| − | # | + | #Payne, R. & Kirwan, G.M. (2020). Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54832 on 9 April 2020) |
| − | # | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
Revision as of 10:14, 9 April 2020
Alternative name: Western Koel
- Eudynamys scolopaceus
Identification
39–46 cm (15¼-18 in)
Male:
- Bluish-black
- Pale green bill
- Red eyes
- Grey legs and feet
Female:
- Brownish upperparts with white spots
- Whitish underparts heavily striped and spotted brown
- Olive or green beak
- Red eyes
Distribution
Found from southern Asia, China, Indochina to the northern Moluccas (Indonesia).
Taxonomy
Formerly considered conspecific with Black-billed Koel and Pacific Koel.
Subspecies
There are 5 subspecies[1]:
- E. s. scolopaceus:
- E. s. chinensis:
- E. s. harterti:
- Hainan (southern China)
- E. s. malayanus (dolosa):
- E. s. mindanensis:
- Philippines, Palawan, Sulu Archaepelago, Sangihe Island and Talaud Islands and northern Moluccas (Morotai, Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore and Bacan)
Habitat
Light woodland and on the fringes of urban areas, mangrove, scrub, plantations, orchards, gardens, parks, rare in forests
Behaviour
Breeding
These birds are brood parasites, laying their eggs in nests of Large-billed Crow, and House Crow.
Diet
Whilst the adults feed mainly on fruit, such as figs, papaya and berries, their diet also includes insects, caterpillars, eggs and small vertebrates.
Vocalisation
Call: This is most unique. It consists of a series of 'tuhoo's wherein the 'hoo' is slightly drawn out. The repetitions are very quick, one after the other.
<flashmp3>asian_koel_sound.mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
Recording by Alok Tewari
Delhi, India, April-2012
Call given by a male, recorded in the neighborhood garden.
<flashmp3>asian_koel_sound_alok.mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
Recording by Alok Tewari
Recorded in an urban garden, Delhi, India, May-2018
High pitch burst by a female followed by crescendo of male, and female again in the end.
In Culture
Since the bird is most active just before the onset of monsoon, Indians believe that its arrival heralds the oncoming rains.
In Sri Lanka, they have a strong association with the traditional new year celebrations. In the literature around the festival, the song of the bird is regarded as heralding new year. They are called "koha" by the Sinhala speaking community.
Gallery
Click images to see larger version
Nominate subspecies female
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Delhi, India, May-2012
Nominate Ssp. Parasitic immature fed by House Crow parents
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Delhi, India, Aug- 2010
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Birdforum Member observations
- Payne, R. & Kirwan, G.M. (2020). Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54832 on 9 April 2020)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Asian Koel. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Asian_Koel
External Links
