The New Year Massenger.........

Hello folks, allow me to present  Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) for this week's World Bird Wednesday.  The old folks of Sri Lanka interpreted the mating call of the male of this species meant the arrival of Sinhalese-Hindu new year festival of April, and still the kids here find the significant call such a wonder. 


All these photos show the male bird. The female looks entirely different and more beautiful. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of a female yet. Asian koel is a brood parasite, the female lays eggs in a crow's nest. You have to be patient with the video, the best view of the bird is towards the end of it. 


So, enjoy and let me know what you think. ciao!

Koel At The Bird Feeder

Two Asian Koels(Eudynamys scolopaceus), one male and the other a female, have found their way into the bird feeder. They come for a feed off it frequently, but never together so far. The female Koel looks very different   to the male, I'll be able to show you soon. This bird can be considered a flagship species, as it's bound with local culture. The male Koel's distinctive call for a mate is heard around every April, and it's April when Sinhalese-Hindu new year is celebrated. So, it is said that the male birds  call is indeed the message  of new year arriving.



An interesting fact about Asian Koel is that the female lays eggs in crow's nests, hence making it a brood parasite.