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Difference between revisions of "Asian Koel" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Asian_Koel.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male Asian Koel<br />Photo by {{user|anonymous_guy|anonymous_guy}}<br />Lamma Island, [[Hong Kong]]]]
+
[[Image:Asian_Koel.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Subspecies ''E. s. chinensis'' male<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|anonymous_guy|anonymous_guy}}<br />Lamma Island, [[Hong Kong]]]]
 +
'''Alternative name: Western Koel'''
 +
 
 
;[[:Category:Eudynamys|Eudynamys]] scolopaceus
 
;[[:Category:Eudynamys|Eudynamys]] scolopaceus
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
−
40-45cm<br />
+
39–46 cm (15¼-18 in)<br />
 
'''Male''':
 
'''Male''':
 
*Bluish-black
 
*Bluish-black
Line 14: Line 16:
 
*Red eyes
 
*Red eyes
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
−
[[Image:Asian Koel Female .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female Asian Koel<br>Photo by {{user|996sps|996sps}} <br />Petaling Jaya, Selangor, [[Malaysia]], February 2007]]
+
[[Image:asian_koel_alok.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies male <br />Photo &copy; by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Delhi, [[India]], June-2012]]
−
Found from southern [[Asia]], [[China]], [[Indochina]] and [[Indonesia]] to [[New Guinea]].
+
Found from southern [[Asia]], [[China]], [[Indochina]] to the northern [[Moluccas]] ([[Indonesia]]).
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
−
Formerly also "Common Koel".
+
Formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-billed Koel]] and [[Pacific Koel]].
−
 
+
====Subspecies====
−
Asian Koel with thirteen subspecies were split from [[Australian Koel]] and [[Black-billed Koel]] by some authorities, however, others still think that the best treatment is to consider all three as one species which would then be named Common Koel, ''Eudynamys scolopacea''.
+
There are 5 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
−
 
 
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At least one authority goes the other way and want to split subspecies ''orientalis'' (and other subspecies) from the rest of Asian Koel: the new species if accepted would become Pacific Koel, ''Eudynamys orientalis'' and would include [[Australian Koel]].
 
−
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>====
 
−
[[Image:25320Asian Koel-Female Imm .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile <br />Photo by {{user|bankim|bankim}}<br />Ahmedabad, Gujarat, [[India]], July 2005]]
 
 
*''E. s. scolopaceus'':
 
*''E. s. scolopaceus'':
 
:*[[Nepal]] to [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], Laccadives and [[Maldives]]
 
:*[[Nepal]] to [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], Laccadives and [[Maldives]]
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*''E. s. malayanus'' (dolosa):
 
*''E. s. malayanus'' (dolosa):
 
:*North-eastern [[India]] to [[Thailand]], [[Malaya]], [[Sumatra]], [[Borneo]] and [[Lesser Sundas]]
 
:*North-eastern [[India]] to [[Thailand]], [[Malaya]], [[Sumatra]], [[Borneo]] and [[Lesser Sundas]]
−
*''E. s. simalurensis'':
 
−
:*Simeulue Island (off western [[Sumatra]])
 
−
*''E. s. frater'':
 
−
:*Northern [[Philippines]] (Calayan and Fuga)
 
 
*''E. s. mindanensis'':
 
*''E. s. mindanensis'':
−
:*[[Philippines]], Palawan, Sulu Archaepelago, Sangihe Island and Talaud Islands
+
:*[[Philippines]], Palawan, Sulu Archaepelago, Sangihe Island and Talaud Islands and northern [[Moluccas]] (Morotai, Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore and Bacan)
−
*''E. s. corvinus'':
 
−
:*Northern [[Moluccas]] (Morotai, Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore and Bacan)
 
−
*''E. s. orientalis'':
 
−
:*Southern [[Moluccas]] (Buru, Manipa, Kelang, Seram, Ambon, Watubela)
 
−
*''E. s. picatus'':
 
−
:*Kai Islands and Sumba to [[Timor]] and Roma
 
−
*''E. s. rufiventer'':
 
−
:*[[New Guinea]]
 
−
*''E. s. salvadorii'':
 
−
:*Bismarck Archipelago
 
−
*''E. s. alberti'':
 
−
:*[[Solomon Islands]]
 
−
 
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
[[Image:Asian Koel Female .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Subspecies ''E. s. malayanus'' female<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|996sps|996sps}} <br />Petaling Jaya, Selangor, [[Malaysia]], February 2007]]
 
Light woodland and on the fringes of urban areas, mangrove, scrub, plantations, orchards, gardens, parks, rare in forests
 
Light woodland and on the fringes of urban areas, mangrove, scrub, plantations, orchards, gardens, parks, rare in forests
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 
====Breeding====
 
====Breeding====
−
These birds are what you call brood-parasitic, meaning it lays its eggs in nest of [[Large-billed Crow]], and [[House Crow]].
+
These birds are [[Dictionary_A-C#B|brood parasites]], laying their eggs in nests of [[Large-billed Crow]], [[House Crow]] and [[Black-collared Starling]].
 +
 
 
====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====
−
'"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.
+
[[Image:25320Asian Koel-Female Imm .jpg|thumb|350px|right|Nominate subspecies juvenile <br />Photo &copy; by {{user|bankim|bankim}}<br />Ahmedabad, Gujarat, [[India]], July 2005]]
−
====In Culture====
+
'''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.<br />
 +
 
 +
{{Audio|asian_koel_sound.mp3}}
 +
 
 +
Recording by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />
 +
Delhi, [[India]], April-2012<br />
 +
 
 +
Call given by a male, recorded in the neighborhood garden.<br />
 +
 
 +
{{Audio|asian_koel_sound_alok.mp3}}
 +
 
 +
Recording by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />
 +
Recorded in an urban garden, Delhi, [[India]], May-2018<br />
 +
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.
 
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
 +
<gallery>
 +
Image:asian_koel_alok_2.JPG|Nominate subspecies female<br />Photo &copy; 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 &copy; by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />Delhi, [[India]], Aug- 2010
 +
</gallery>
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#Wikipedia
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#Birdforum Member observations
−
#BF 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}}
 +
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
−
{{GSearch|Eudynamys+scolopace}}  
+
{{GSearch|"Eudynamys scolopaceus" {{!}} "Asian koel" {{!}} "Western Koel" {{!}} -"Flowerpecker"}}
−
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Eudynamys]]
+
<br />
 +
{{VSearch|"Eudynamys scolopaceus" {{!}} "Asian koel" {{!}} "Western Koel" {{!}} -"Flowerpecker"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Eudynamys]][[Category:Bird Songs]][[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 12:04, 26 June 2023

Subspecies E. s. chinensis male
Photo © by anonymous_guy
Lamma Island, Hong Kong

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

Nominate subspecies male
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Delhi, India, June-2012

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:
  • 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

Subspecies E. s. malayanus female
Photo © by 996sps
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, February 2007

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, House Crow and Black-collared Starling.

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

Nominate subspecies juvenile
Photo © by bankim
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, July 2005

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.

Recording by Alok Tewari
Delhi, India, April-2012

Call given by a male, recorded in the neighborhood garden.

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

  1. 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/
  2. Birdforum Member observations
  3. 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

External Links


GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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