Asian Koel

The Asian Koel is a common bird which belongs to Cuckoo family. The scientific name of this bird is Eudynamys Scolopaceus. This species are found in Indian Subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia. The Koel has different geographic forms based on the shape of their plumage and known with different scientific names in the above mentioned regions.

According to wikipedia, the Asian Koel is a large size bird with long-tailed measuring around 36-46 cm (15-18 in). The female koel appears brownish on the crown and has rufous streaks on the head. The other parts of the body are dark brown with white and buff spots.The male koel is glossy bluish-black with a pale greenish grey beak. The iris is crimson and it has grey legs.^[1]

It is known that the Asian Koel is a brood parasite. It means they rely on others to raise their young ones. The brood parasite manipulates a host, either of the same or of another species to raise its young as if it were its own. It has been observed the Asian Koel often lays  more than one egg in a host’s egg, usually two to three in House Crow or Long tailed Shrikes are likely to accept them.^[2] [3]

The bird is totally carpophagous, usually feeds on fruits and occasionally add insects to its diet. This species are famous for their loud vocalisations during the breeding season which begins from March and continues till September. They are shy and secretive type of bird but produce distinguishable loud calls which are easily detectable.The ko-oooo, koo-oooo call of the male Asian koel is the common one which we normally hear in our surrounding areas.^[4]

I have spotted Asian Koel in various places in Mumbai, Thane and Konkan region. It includes Mumbai University, Mazagaon Hill, Byculla, Worli, Dadar, Sewri, Powai, Kalyan and some areas of South Konkan. The bird can be easily spotted in other greener areas of Mumbai city such as Mahim Park, SGNP, Aarey Colony and Yeoor Hills. The bird is so common that you could spot in your local gardens which have Mango, Fig and Banyan trees.

The India Biodiversity Portal shows the occurence/spotted records of Asian Koel across various states in India through a Google Map. It is interesting to see the visual depiction of this bird in form of small spots across India.

Here are some photos of Asian Koel (Female & Male) captured by me.

References:
1. Wikipedia – Asian Koel
2. Brood parasitic cuckoos and their hosts in Jahangirnagar University campus
3. Brood parasite
4. Vocalizations of adult male Asian koels (Eudynamys scolopacea) in the breeding season
5. India Biodiversity Portal – Asian Koel

Read more on Indian birds
1. Birds of India – Part 1
2. Birds of India – Part 2
3. Birds of India – Part 3
4. Indian Golden Oriole
5. Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker
6. Common tailorbird
7. Green bee-eaters
8. Seagulls
9. Red-vented bulbul
10. Baya Weaver
11. Coppersmith Barbet the official Bird of Mumbai
12. Oriental Magpie Robin
13. Plum and Grey Headed Parakeets