The Pacific koel (Eudynamys orientalis), also known as the eastern koel or formerly common koel, is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. In Australia, it is colloquially known as the rainbird or stormbird, as its call is usually more prevalent before or during stormy weather.
The Pacific Koel can be identified by its black plumage, often tinted with blue and green, and red eyes. The species is sexually dimorphic: the female has brown plumage along the back with white spots and the underbelly is often cream coloured with fine black stripes. Young birds resemble the female but have dark eyes.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in forest, woodland, plantations and gardens from Wallacea east to the Solomon Islands and south to northern and eastern Australia. The Pacific koel has not been rated by IUCN, but the Australian Koel (here included in the Pacific koel) is considered to be of Least Concern.[1]
Behaviour
The Pacific koel is a brood parasite. In Australia, their hosts are mainly large honeyeaters (especially noisy friarbirds and red wattlebirds).[8] Unlike in other parasitic cuckoos, the young do not attempt to kill the host chicks. This trait is shared with the channel-billed cuckoo, which – as in the Pacific koel – are largely frugivorous as adults.[9] A study of vocalization noted that the duetting behaviour may indicate the possibility of short-term pair-bonding in its otherwise polygynous mating system.[10]
In Australia, the presence of the species is regarded as a sign of the arrival of spring and the rainy season. It is also viewed as a nuisance due to the males' incessant calling throughout the day and night.[11][12] The calls indicate the start of breeding season and males would call repeatedly to mark their territory or communicate their availability to other females.[13]
Gallery
Female Pacific koel having a snack
Female, then male feeding on fruit in southeast Queensland, Australia
^Payne, R.B. (1997). "Family Cuculidaee (Cuckoos)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. pp. 508–545 [570–571]. ISBN978-84-87334-22-1.
^Christidis, Les; Boles, Walter (2008). Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Collingwood, VIC, Australia: CSIRO. pp. 163–164. ISBN978-064309602-8.
^Payne, R. B. (2005). The Cuckoos. Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-850213-3.
^Broom, M., Ruxton, G. D., & Kilner, R. M. (2007). Host life-history strategies and the evolution of chick-killing by brood parasitic offspring. Behavioral Ecology doi:10.1093/beheco/arm096Full text.
^Maller, C. J., & Jones, D. N. (2001). Vocal behaviour of the Common Koel, Eudynamys scolopacea, and implications for mating systems. Emu 101(2):105-112
Payne, R. B. (1997) Eudynamys scolopacea (Common Koel). pp. 570–571 in: del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie, D. (editors). (1997). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Lynx Edicions. ISBN84-87334-22-9