COMMON KOEL

EASTERN or COMMON KOEL 

I wrote about this bird a little over twelve months ago. A very noisy vagrant from the more northern parts of Australia.

 It is only in the last three years that we have noticed it's call in the early months of summer. It calls at all hours of the day and night. The male bird, with its deep blue / black plumage, perched high up in the tops of trees, is very difficult to see. For many people in Kilmore, it is simply referred to as "That bird"

 

"That bird is back again" says Greg. " It started at midnight and is still calling at midday.

It is possible that "that bird", is a single "that bird",  because we never hear a returning call and have never sighted a partner. 

How do we know it is the same bird?

Here is a photograph taken last week, the koel sitting in amongst the branches of a spotted gum by the roadside. Note what looks like magpie-like white colouring on the wings, is merely the refection of his deep blue / black feathers.

 

  This is this year's koel with his twisted beak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is last year's koel also with a twisted beak.

Same bird!

So this poor lonely fellow has made trips to Kilmore for at least the last two years, probably more often than that. Where does he spend his winters? 

He certainly looks healthy and well fed, so the crossed beak must not be too much of an encumbrance for him. Does the mis-shapen beak affect his chances of finding a mate? His ability to call for hour after hour does not seem to have been affected in any way. But he certainly must expend a huge amount of energy calling as he uses his whole body to make the calls.

He seems to be gone now, (January 4th). We haven't heard his voice for a week or so.