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Common Koel

(Eudynamys scolopacea)
Alternative names: "Cooee-bird", "Flinders Cuckoo"
Size: 40-46 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Common Koels migrate to Australia from the north, making landfall anywhere on the north ocast, from the Kimberleys in WA to Cape Melville in QLD. They populate the entire tropical north of the continent plus the eastern half of QLD and mostly a coastal strip along NSW, down to the border with VIC. However, they do reach the western side of the Great Dividing Range as well. After substantial inland rainfall, they can be found as far west as e.g. Walgett, NSW. Common Koels are not found elsewhere on the continent and they do not fly across Bass Strait to Tasmania either.

Common Koels are usually found in dense forest to open woodland. In more open country often found in trees near water courses.

Sightings

First seen by us when we moved to a new home 20 km east of Narrabri in December 2006. A couple of birds were feeding on a Californian pepper tree. The female was easily approachable and stayed for quite a while. However, the all-black male, which we also saw, was much shier.

Common Koels have been spotted by us every year since then. They returned after their winter migration in late October 2007, later than most other migratory birds. In 2008 first heard calling in early October, at the end of a late cold snap, when a local pair of Magpie-larks was building its nest. Returned again in the 2009 breeding season. In 2010 first heard in late September. In 2011 the first bird was heard in early November.

Common Koels were also spotted by us on the NSW north coast, e.g. at Urunga, in January 2011.

Common Koels (race "subcyanocephala") have also been seen in January 2011 by L. Tonnochy, 20 km north of Townsville, QLD. Photos and information on this race kindly contributed by L. Tonnochy.

NOT heard or seen by us 2003-2006, when we lived 20 km south of Narrabri, i.e. farther away from the foothills of the Great Dividing Range.

Photos

Race "cyanocephala"

Male Common Koel feeding in a native fig tree ; note the red eyes, similar to those of White-winged Choughs

View of the back of a male Common Koel

Male Common Koel accompanied by an upset Noisy Friarbird

The constant pestering had the desired effect, when the Common Koel first squawked in irritation...

... before deciding that it was indeed better to move on

Female Common Koels exhibit the typical barred patterns common to basically all cuckoo species, which are not apparent in the plumage of the almost all-black males.

Partly obsured frontal view of a female Common Koel in a pepper tree

Frontal view of a female Common Koel; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy

Lateral view of the same bird as above; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy

Here seen with its head turned; photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy

Partly obscured lateral view of a female Common Koel

Here a view of the back of a female bird

The two following photos were taken when a female Common Koel attracted attention to itself by issuing a loud call from the top of a tree. When disturbed there by a Magpie-lark, it flew into another tree, from where a male had been answering her calls.

Caught "in the act" - Common Koel mounting a female

Here the two go their separate ways again

Race "subcyanocephala"

Female Common Koel (subcyanocephala) spotted by L. Tonnochy; note the characteristic rufous streaking on both sides of the throat (click on image to see the bird with its head turned)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Migratory Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

Together with other birds marking the boundaries of their territory by calling from vantage points, we noticed that the local Common Koels were quiet for two days during a late cold snap in late October 2008.

One male bird was heard by us calling from inside a huge native fig tree, on whose fruit it was feasting.

Food

Unlike most other cuckoos, Common Koels are fruit eaters.