Pacific Koels or Eastern Koels (Eudynamys orientalis)

The Pacific Koels (Eudynamys orientalis) – also known as the Eastern Koels – are cuckoos that have often been considered conspecific (one and the same species) with the Asian and Black-billed Koels. However, nowadays, most authorities treat them as separate species.

Pacific Koels (Eudynamys orientalis)

In Australia, they are commonly referred to as Rainbirds or Stormbirds, as their calsl are said to foreshadow rain.

Distribution

The Pacific Koel occurs naturally in forest, woodland, plantations and gardens from Wallacea east to the Solomon Island and south to northern and eastern Australia.

The Koels are fairly common within their ranges.

Koel Distribution

Breeding

The Pacific Koels are brood parasites (placing their eggs into the nest of other birds, for them to raise). Unlike other parasitic cuckoos, the chicks don’t try to kill the host chicks and are raised together jointly with them.

In Australia, their hosts are mainly large honeyeaters, such as Noisy Friarbirds and Red Wattlebirds).

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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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