Colours
Distinguishing features
The male of the nominate race is glossy bluish-black, with a pale greenish grey bill, the iris is crimson, and it has grey legs and feet. The female of the nominate race is brownish on the crown and has rufous streaks on the head. The back, rump and wing coverts are dark brown with white and buff spots. The underparts are whitish, but is heavily striped.
The other subspecies differ in colouration and size. The upper plumage of young birds is more like that of the male and they have a black beak. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 39 cm to 46 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Mature specimens
Weight
- From 0.19 kg to 0.327 kg - applies to Mature specimens
Wingspan
- Up to 70 cm
Synonyms
Interesting facts
- The Asian Koel is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of crows and other hosts, who raise its young (Wikipedia).
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is found in South Asia, China, and Southeast Asia.
It is a bird of light woodland and cultivation. It is a mainly resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from India 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. (Wikipedia)
