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Asian Koel
(Eudynamys scolopaceus)
: "Common Koel"
Size: 39-46 cm
Weight: 190-325 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Asian Koels are large cuckoos. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e.
males and
females
are different.
Male
Asian Koels are all glossy-black, with prominent red eyes.
Female
Australian Koels have a dark-brown crown, brown throat patches
and a lightly barred buff front, while the back is dark-brown,
speckled white. The
females' undertail shows the typical barring of cuckoo tails.
Both sexes have striking red irises, the bill is light-grey,
the legs and feet are grey.
Juvenile
Asian Koels have a cream-coloured crown and dark irises. Their
back is barred rufous, with white specks.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Asian
Koel at Wikipedia  .
Click here for classification information
Previously various Koels were considered to be conspecific, but
more recently they are being treated as separate species. Some
sources still list the Australian Koel
as race "cyanocephalus"
of the Eastern Koel or Asian/Common Koel (Eudynamys orientalis or
Eudynamys scolopaceus).
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Asian Koel is available
HERE
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Asian Koels are a mainly sedentary species found in much of
tropical South-east Asia.
The combined range of the 5 recognized races extends from
eastern Pakistan in the West to southern and central China in
the East, and from Indonesia in the South to central China in
the North (for more details see, e.g., Wikipedia
).
During the winter, Asian Koels of nominate race "scolopacea"
sometimes move westwards along the northern coastline of the
Persian Gulf, which they can cross to reach the northern parts
of the Arabian peninsula.
In Arabia Asian Koels are found only rarely as winter visitors.
Their range is restricted to North coast, from the eastern cape
at Ras Al-Hadd in Oman up to the western base of Musandam, in
the UAE.
Asian Koels have a preference for lightly wooded habitats, such
as woodland, but also orchards, parks and gardens. While they are
omnivorous, adult Asian Koels feed largely on fruit.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "scolopaceus"
We have not seen Asian Koels in Oman yet. The photos shown here
were obtained by D. Wilczynska in October 2015 on the Maledives.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this page
has kindly been contributed by D. Wilczynska.
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Photos |
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Race "scolopaceus"
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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Near-dorsal view of a male Asian Koel; note the characteristic
silvery specks on glossy black
plumage and the red eyes
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
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FEMALE |
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Close-up lateral portrait of a female Asian Koel issuing its call;
note the much lighter front/underparts compared to the male shown
above (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
Lateral view of a female Asian Koel issuing its call
(photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
