Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopaceus
Summary 2
The Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus ) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. It is found in South Asia, China, and Southeast Asia. It forms a superspecies with the closely related Black-billed and Pacific Koels which are sometimes treated as subspecies. The Asian Koel is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of crows and other hosts, who raise its young. They are unusual among the cuckoos in being...
Reproduction 3
"The laying season is mainly from April to August and corresponds with that of its most usual host, the House Crow. Occasionally the Jungle-Crow, which nests somewhat earlier, is victimised. Its eggs are rather smaller, but very like the crow's in appearance, pale greyish-green or stone colour speckled and blotched with reddish-brown. As many as 11 have been found in a single crow's nest. It appears that the female Koel seizes the opportunity to deposit her egg in a crow's nest while the male deliberately draws the owners away by leading them a chase. It is also evident that the young Koel usually succeeds in disposing of his rightful foster-brothers at an early age."
Distribution and habitat 4
The Asian koel is a bird of light woodland and cultivation. It is a mainly resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to south China and the Greater Sundas. They have great potential in colonizing new areas, and were among the pioneer birds to colonize the volcanic island of Krakatau. They first arrived in Singapore in the 1980s and became very common birds.
Some populations may make long distance movements.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Steve Garvie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbirder/6369630367/
- Adapted by c michael hogan from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudynamys_scolopaceus
- (c) India Biodiversity Portal, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/26325626
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_koel
