- Eudynamys scolopacea
Identification
Location: Lamma Island, Hong Kong This is a male.
The Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea, formerly also "Common Koel"), is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes such birds as the roadrunners, the anis, and couas. It is found from southern Asia, China, and into Australia. Like many cuckoos, it lays its eggs in other birds' nests.
The word koel also means "nightingale" in India because of the Indian Koel's melodious call. It is also colloquially known as the Rainbird or Stormbird in eastern Australia, as its call is supposed to foreshadow rain
