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Asian Koel (Koveli)
Eudynamis scolopaceus or Asian Koel is also commonly found in
the
Maldives. The Koel is 39 to 46 cm in length, and it comes from the cuckoo
family. Adults are rather shy and they are heard much more than seen.
However, you’ll see a lot of them in Sun Island gardens during the flowering
and fruiting times. Mostly they are found eating on papaya and Noni trees.
The male is easily identified by its entirely shiny black plumage, tinged
with blue and green, and scarlet eyes. Its cry is kuhu, kuhu, kuhu. They
will be calling throughout the day; sometimes it will be rising in pitch
with each succeeding call. The female has a rhythmic "wook-wook." The female
has smooth brown upperparts, heavily speckled with white, and a black crown.
The underpants are generally cream with many fine black bars. They are quite
long-tailed and the legs are slightly browner, the tail barred dark grey and
white, and the under parts are barred. Young birds resemble the adult
female, but have considerably more buff and a dark eye. The Asian Koel is a
brood parasite. It has a tendency to its lays its eggs in the nests of other
bird species. In Maldives you will see koels laying their eggs in crow’
nests, usually with only one egg. The foster bird will take care of the
young chick along with the others in her nest, whilst the koel chick will
push the other eggs or chicks out from the nest. The foster parents will
have a tough time to search and bring food to the koel until they realize
that the bird is not theirs.
Related Links:
> Exploring The Magical Island
< Exotic Flora of Sun Island
> Fauna of Sun Island
-
Asian Koel (Koveli)
- Grey Heron (Maakana)
-
House Gecko (Hoanu)
-
Island Flying Fox (Vaa)
-
Lizards (Bondu)
- White breasted water hen (Kanbili)
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